Protesters in New York Rally Against NAZA Film, Demand Recognition of October 7 Events

Despite the rainy weather, several dozen Israelis and American Jews from the New York area held a rally in the city tonight, in front of Lincoln Center, where the controversial NAZA film was screened. The event, organized by the Israeli-American Community Organization (IAC), featured footage from “October 7: Bearing Witness to the Massacre” on LED screens installed on trucks. The film includes graphic and raw footage from the October 7 attack in Israel, as well as footage from Hamas.

Organizers stated their goal is to present the events of October 7 in a way that counters the narrative of the film “NASA,” which they claim omits critical information and fails to give sufficient weight to the Hamas attack that led to the war. “The films have editors. History has no editors,” one organizer said, emphasizing the importance of preserving the full story. Among those present were members of the Israeli-American and Jewish communities in New York and New Jersey, as well as dozens of survivors.

Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, expressed support for the campaign, stating that the Israeli consulate, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, will not allow “lies and blood libels” to continue. He condemned the filmmakers as “disgraceful people” and called for action against their “incitement against our heroic soldiers and against the State of Israel.”

The film, directed by Yuval Avraham and Rachel Shore, was screened at the New York Film Festival and features testimonies from 24 soldiers and intelligence personnel about the combat mechanisms in Gaza. Protesters argue that the film presents the war without adequately addressing the context of the October 7 attack, which they believe is essential to understanding the conflict.

The IDF has responded to the film’s claims, calling them “a complete lie.” An IDF spokesperson stated that the military has never planned or authorized an attack in Gaza that would result in 500 civilian casualties. They also noted that no credible evidence has been presented to support such claims. The IDF emphasized its commitment to international law and minimizing harm to non-combatants.

Major General Eyal Zamir, the Chief of Staff, also addressed the film in a statement from the IDF Spokesperson’s Office. He described the film as a deliberate attempt to harm the legitimacy of the IDF and the State of Israel. The IDF reiterated its adherence to international law and its dedication to protecting civilians while carrying out its mission.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)