Netanyahu proposes citizenship penalties over criticism of Israeli soldiers
The Israeli prime minister has pledged to advance bills targeting defamation, citing the documentary NAZA and other allegations of misconduct.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to advance two bills that would allow citizenship to be revoked from people who defame Israeli soldiers and increase statutory damages for defamation.
Netanyahu outlined the proposals in a social media video on Wednesday, saying they would target critics financially and through their citizenship. The measures have been proposed but have not become law, and their wording and scope remain unclear.
He cited NAZA, a documentary directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor that alleges Israeli military targeting decisions incorporated expected mass civilian casualties in Gaza. Netanyahu and the Israeli military reject the allegations.
The film won the Special Jury Prize at last week’s Venice Film Festival and has been sharply criticised in Israel. The military is examining possible legal action against people involved in the production.
Netanyahu also referred to remarks by former general and politician Yair Golan, and to a leaked video that allegedly showed soldiers abusing a Gaza detainee. Israel’s Supreme Court permitted citizenship stripping in 2022 for actions constituting a breach of trust against the state, but any new legislation would likely face court challenges.
The proposals come before Israel’s 27 October election, with polls suggesting Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition may lack a parliamentary majority. Al Jazeera reported that it remains unclear whether the filmmakers would be covered by any enacted law.
