A group of demonstrators gathered outside Lincoln Center in Columbus Circle on Saturday to protest the North American premiere of a documentary titled "NAZA" at the New York Film Festival. The film, which addresses the Gaza War, has been criticized by supporters of Israel for its portrayal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and its use of anonymous sources. Noa Peri-Jensch of the Israeli-American Council (IAC) stated, "History cannot be altered," and expressed concerns that the film ignores significant events from October 7th. She emphasized the need for responsible documentary-making that includes diverse perspectives.
The documentary, created by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor in collaboration with The Guardian, alleges that the Israeli military has a code for civilian casualties in airstrikes and includes a controversial quote from an anonymous source regarding the use of AI in targeting. The film received a 24-minute ovation at its premiere in Venice but has faced backlash from Israeli officials who have labeled it as misleading.
Shalev Biton, a survivor of the October 7th attack at Nova Festival, expressed his belief that the film is divisive and emphasized the importance of acknowledging the impact of the conflict on both sides. He stated, "I am not against any criticism on us as a state, as Israel, but there is a way to do it."
In response to the documentary, four trucks organized by the IAC displayed footage from the October 7th attack, aiming to counter the film's claims. Biton shared his emotional response to the footage, stating, "It’s never easy to see the footage but in this context, people should see that."
New York resident David Cohen also voiced his concerns, stating, "Show the film, no problem, but understand the circumstances." The Guardian and the filmmakers have defended the documentary, asserting that the sources have been vetted and that their claims are consistent with investigative journalism standards.