Police Complaint Demands Investigation of Israeli Gaza War Documentary 'N.Z.A.'

The documentary 'N.Z.A.' features testimony from soldiers and intelligence officers about IDF conduct during the Gaza war, including claims relating to the use of force, target selection, and civilian casualties. According to Maariv, the IDF has denied the allegations presented in the film. Attorney Atiya, who filed the complaint, told Maariv that it is directed not only at the filmmakers but also at everyone who agreed to be interviewed - on the grounds that both giving and receiving classified information without authorization may constitute criminal offenses under Israeli law. Atiya cited three potential violations he wants police to examine: unauthorized disclosure of classified information under Section 113 of the Penal Law, unauthorized possession or collection of classified information, and disclosure in breach of duty - a prohibition he argues may apply even to former personnel who pass on information they obtained while in their roles. The complaint does not establish that any offense occurred; it is a request for police to determine whether the information that appeared in the film was classified, who passed it on, and under what circumstances. At stake is a tension that arises in many democracies: the public interest in accountability for military conduct in wartime on one side, and the state's interest in protecting sensitive operational information on the other. Supporters of an investigation argue that documentary filmmaking does not exempt anyone from criminal law. Opponents may argue that the complaint risks chilling legitimate journalism and testimony about military conduct.