The Israeli Film Directors Pushing for a Reckoning in Their Home Country
Oct 12, 2026 · 32m
Summary
The Daily interviews directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Cezor about their documentary "Naza," which won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival but has sparked intense backlash in Israel. The film features testimony from 24 anonymous Israeli military intelligence officers who describe using AI and mass surveillance to target Hamas members in their homes, resulting in significant civilian casualties. The directors discuss the moral implications of these tactics, the use of the term "collateral damage," and the personal threats they face, including death threats and a proposed bill t…
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Apple Card
Introduction: Naza wins Venice Film Festival prize
Backlash in Israel and Netanyahu's threat
Film premise: Testimonies from 24 officers
Directors discuss safety and public reaction
Explaining the title 'Naza' (Collateral Damage)
Profile of the 24 intelligence officers
Targeting civilians in their homes at night
Mass surveillance and 'Where Is Daddy?' system
Use of AI algorithms for target identification
Corroborating the claim of 500 civilian casualties
IDF response and legal review of strikes
Sponsors: Netflix and Metropolitan Opera
Psychological impact and context vs. justification
Officers' realization of intentional harm
Cinematography: Depicting distance and daily life
Use of Gaza footage and Holocaust comparisons
Addressing concerns about antisemitism
Future plans and returning to Israel
Sponsors: Netflix and Broadway
News: Houthi strikes and US-Russia fuel deal
Credits and production team
Sponsor: Citizens Bank
Listen ad-free on Castria