Documentary on AI-driven targeting in Gaza earns lengthy standing ovation at Venice
The film NAZA, directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, documents Israel's use of AI systems to identify assassination targets in Gaza. It features testimony from anonymous Israeli military and intelligence sources. The premiere at the Venice Film Festival was met with a 25-minute standing ovation.
The 80-minute feature, built on a three-year probe, relies on concealed testimonies from Israeli defense personnel, recorded at night on Tel Aviv rooftops with altered voices and faces. It details the "Lavender" AI system, which analyzed Gaza's telecom data to generate targets, with interviewees comparing the process to a factory or a video game.
Directors Abraham and Szor previously earned an Oscar for *No Other Land*. They assert in *+972 Magazine* that civilian deaths were intentional, not collateral. Produced by Jim Wilson with *The Guardian* and executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, the film drew critical praise from trade outlets, with *The Hollywood Reporter* citing profound disgust for the current Israeli regime.
This documentary could intensify global scrutiny of military AI ethics, potentially influencing public opinion and policy debates in Western nations that support Israel. It may also deepen internal Israeli discourse regarding wartime conduct, as anonymous testimonies challenge official narratives. For Palestinians, the film could reinforce calls for accountability, while for international audiences, it may reshape perceptions of the conflict's technological dimensions. The film's reception suggests it may serve as a catalyst for renewed diplomatic pressure, though its ultimate societal effect remains to be seen.