Israeli Americans Protest ‘NAZA’ Los Angeles Screening as Doc Releases Theatrically in U.S.

During a Friday screening of NAZA at Laemmle NoHo 7 in North Hollywood, dozens of Israeli-Americans and members of the Jewish community protested outside the theater.

The documentary is from Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who previously said in a statement that they “made this film out of a sense of obligation to use our position as Israelis to examine the systems behind the mass killing of Palestinian civilians for which our country is responsible.”

Some protestors were wrapped in Israeli and American flags, holding signs that read, “Learn the Facts. Know the Truth.” and “Movies Have Editors. History Does Not.” Images documenting the Oct. 7 attack were also shown, alongside posters calling for the return of hostages.

“Our message is clear: wherever lies are told about Israel, we will show up with the truth,” said Aya Shechter, the Israeli-American Council (IAC)’s chief operating officer in a statement. “Everyone who came out today is saying, loudly and clearly, that we stand with Israel. Especially around October 7, we do not forget those who were murdered and those who fell, and we are standing here also for those who can no longer stand here to shout the truth themselves.”

The September premiere of NAZA at the New York Film Festival was also met with protestors organized by the IAC. Nova festival survivors Rom El-Hai and Shalev Biton were among those who spoke.

“We’re here not because we’re saying, don’t show the film,” IAC co-chair Tal Shuster said of NAZA during the New York rally. “Everyone has the freedom of speech, that’s the United States. We are saying: it’s not all the facts. Show everything else, not just the documentary.”

“We have the trucks here,” Shuster continued. “Let’s each one of us be an ambassador and show people what actually happened. If you screen the film, invite a survivor, let them speak, at a panel. Let them be heard. Don’t just show one side without the facts from the other side. Before you go into the film, or after it, come hear about what happened in Israel on Oct. 7. 1,200 people were murdered. 251 people were kidnapped. Yes, show all the facts.”

At the Venice Film Festival, NAZA received the Special Jury Prize. The doc released theatrically in the United States on Friday.