Israeli documentary ‘NAZA’ opens in the US, reigniting debate over the war in Gaza

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VENICE, Italy (AP) — The opening in U.S. theaters of the “NAZA” documentary , in which Israeli military insiders describe what they say was the reckless killing of civilians in Gaza, is likely to rekindle the searing debate over America’s military support for Israel ahead of congressional elections.

Israel’s wartime conduct has sparked global outrage , as have the billions of dollars in American military support provided by the Biden and Trump administrations. The war has bitterly divided Democrats and some Republicans .

The film received a record 25-minute standing ovation when it debuted at the Venice Film Festival. The backlash in Israel, which holds its own elections at the end of this month, has been just as thunderous .

“NAZA,” named for the Hebrew acronym for collateral damage, contends that Israel used sophisticated systems — some operated by artificial intelligence — to hunt and kill suspected militants, carrying out strikes the military knew would kill large numbers of civilians.

The Israeli military has “categorically” denied the filmmakers’ findings and threatened to track…