At the conclusion of the discussion, the chief of staff ordered a series of steps: establishing a multi-organizational, multidisciplinary team led by the Planning Directorate chief to formulate courses of action and tools for dealing with false claims against the IDF and its soldiers, in cooperation with experts from Israel and abroad. Additionally, the chief of staff instructed the military advocate general to examine and advance possible legal actions regarding the film and those involved in it, including for disseminating false claims against IDF soldiers and their potential implications for their personal security and state security.
The chief of staff also ordered examination of information security aspects and possible involvement regarding the leak of classified materials used in producing the film. The chief of staff emphasized the need for a broad national and international public diplomacy effort, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, the national public diplomacy apparatus, and other relevant parties.
The IDF spokesperson firmly denied a central claim appearing in the film, according to which a strike in Gaza was planned or approved in which approximately 500 civilians were expected to be killed. In a statement published in English on X, it was written: "This is a completely false claim." Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin requested in the post that the filmmakers allow IDF representatives to view the film in its entirety so they could "respond substantively to each of the claims raised in it."
According to the IDF spokesperson, "Never was a strike planned, approved, or carried out in which the IDF anticipated that such a number of civilians, or even a number approaching it, would be killed." It was further stated that during the war, no credible claim was raised that an IDF strike caused a death toll approaching 500. The IDF claims that the filmmakers could not have verified the claim, which has no substantial supporting evidence, yet chose to publish it anyway.
The film generated significant interest already at its premiere screening Thursday of last week, when a historic festival record was set as the audience applauded the creators for nearly 25 minutes. "NAZA" draws on investigations published in recent years in "Local Call," "+972" magazine, and the British "Guardian."
In his acceptance speech, Abraham addressed criticism of the film in Israel: "It's not easy to stand here when I think about the Israeli politicians and journalists attacking the film and dismissing it without having seen it at all," he said. Abraham added that the film is intended to present the reality behind the fighting and called on the Israeli and international audience to watch it in order to recognize the facts detailed in it.
Following the IDF's denial, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar stated that he approached the Interior Ministry with the aim of fulfilling his threats against the filmmakers and examining whether their Israeli citizenship can be revoked. In his inquiry, he requested examination of the source of the testimonies and materials appearing in the film and to clarify "whether in the course of obtaining or publishing them, acts were committed that constitute treason against the state or that assist the enemy in wartime."
