Israeli-American Council protests 'NAZA' screening, displays October 7 footage in New York
The Israeli-American Council staged a protest outside the New York Film Festival premiere of the documentary 'NAZA', projecting October 7 images to highlight the attack’s context.
At the New York Film Festival premiere of the documentary 'NAZA', the Israeli-American Council organized a protest that attracted over 50 participants outside Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Protesters used LED trucks to broadcast graphic scenes from the October 7 attacks and images of those killed, emphasizing what they see as the film’s omission of the Hamas assault. Noa Peri-Jensch, chief communities officer of the council, and survivor Rom El-Hai addressed the crowd, accusing the film of being anti-Israel and presenting a biased view of the Gaza conflict.
Attendees also voiced concerns that Israeli perspectives are being silenced in artistic circles. Security forces deployed more than a dozen officers to monitor the demonstration. The film, which recently earned a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, will be released in over 50 territories and later streamed for free on one outlet’s website.
Why it matters
The protest underscores ongoing tensions over how the Israel-Gaza conflict is portrayed in cultural venues.
How this story developed
- Sep 10 Oscar-winning Israelis debut documentary on Gaza civilian deaths at Venice Festival
- Sep 10 Naza was added to the Venice Film Festival line‑up only weeks before the event concludes.
- Sep 19 Netanyahu pledged legislation to strip citizenship from those who “defame” soldiers.
- Sep 26 The film’s worldwide theatrical rollout began late September and a free online streaming launch was announced for November.
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