Netanyahu Slams Award-Winning Film on IDF Operations in Gaza

Netanyahu's remarks (Photo: Prime Minister's Office)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a scathing response Monday to the documentary film "Collateral Damage" by Israeli Oscar-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, which won the Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival over the weekend.

"I heard about it, and it's shocking," Netanyahu said when asked about the film. "You know, we're fighting global antisemitic incitement. But when it comes from within us, it's simply intolerable."

The prime minister outlined what he described as a chain of events leading to the defamation of the IDF: "And it starts with Yair Golan saying we murder babies as a hobby. And then it continues to the Prosecutor's Office leaking a fabricated and false video that slanders IDF soldiers around the world. And now two Israeli filmmakers presenting the IDF as war criminals and receiving applause at the Venice Festival."

The film, according to its synopsis, deals with "the operational mechanisms behind the mass killing in Gaza and is based on testimonies from 24 IDF soldiers and officers." The film's name is derived from the military acronym for collateral damage.

Netanyahu connected the film to the domestic political arena, pointing an accusatory finger at National Unity party leader Gadi Eisenkot. "You know, these are two Israeli filmmakers who are members of the Directors Guild, whose head until a week ago, before he announced his resignation, is now a member of Eisenkot's party," he said.

The prime minister called on Eisenkot to take decisive action: "So I say to Gadi Eisenkot, cancel your surplus-vote agreement with Yair Golan's party. Issue a sharp condemnation of this thing and kick this guy off your list."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also held a consultation today regarding the film, attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Head of Operations Directorate, Military Advocate General, Air Force Commander, 8200 Unit Commander, IDF Spokesperson and additional commanders.

The Chief of Staff emphasized that this is a deliberate attempt to directly harm the legitimacy of the IDF and the State of Israel. "According to the publications emerging so far, this is not a film critiquing the IDF and not an attempt to clarify the truth," Lt. Gen. Zamir stated. "It is based on blood libels, deliberate distortion of reality and false and serious accusations against IDF soldiers and commanders."

"This is a move against the State of Israel, not just against the IDF," the Chief of Staff added. "It adopts the narratives of Israel's enemies, defames IDF soldiers and commanders." The Chief of Staff instructed to examine legal action against those involved in producing the film.