Media & Film
NAZA: The Real Story, when the people who were there speak for themselves
When a documentary accused Israel’s army of deliberately killing civilians in Gaza, three Israelis answered with another: a 41-minute film in which the commanders and intelligence officers who fought the war speak for themselves. Israel at Heart supported their effort to reach a global audience.
Courtesy of the filmmakers
When a documentary makes serious accusations against a country, its army and its people, the consequences can extend far beyond the cinema. Films can shape how millions understand a conflict, influence public debate and become the lens through which an entire nation is judged. That was the concern behind NAZA, the documentary that presents allegations of systematic and deliberate killing of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza.
Three Israelis decided that another perspective needed to be heard, and Israel at Heart was there to support.
A response born of personal responsibility
NAZA: The Real Story was created by three Israelis whose professional backgrounds complement one another. Roee Danino is an entrepreneur, author and strategic adviser, and an IDF reserve lieutenant colonel who served more than 600 days during the Iron Swords War. Ariel Averbuch is an attorney, IDF reserve major and international speaker, as well as co-founder and chairman of Sword of Gideon, an organization working to combat antisemitism through international advocacy. Hagai Gutman is an experienced filmmaker, director and editor whose work spans television, documentaries and digital media. Together, they combined military experience, legal and public advocacy, and filmmaking expertise to produce a 41-minute documentary in which senior IDF commanders and intelligence officers who served in Gaza speak about the realities they encountered during the war. Their accounts address some of the most contested questions surrounding the fighting: Hamas operating from within civilian areas, terrorists moving without uniforms, tunnels and weapons hidden in civilian buildings, the use and distribution of humanitarian aid, hostages held in homes, and the procedures and restrictions governing Israeli military strikes.
The film does not rely on testimony alone. Photographs, battlefield footage and documents appear alongside the officers’ accounts, allowing viewers to see the material being discussed and draw their own conclusions.
Reaching a global audience
Released on September 20, 2026, NAZA: The Real Story is available free of charge through its dedicated website. Its international distribution strategy includes multilingual access and subtitles, search-engine visibility, social media, screenings, speaking tours, filmmaker discussions, media interviews, podcasts and partnerships with influential voices. The filmmakers have set an ambitious target of reaching 100 million views and establishing a prominent presence in Google and YouTube searches.
This is where Israel at Heart became involved. Recognizing the importance of the filmmakers’ effort, we supported their work to reach wider global audiences. The partnership reflects the organization’s conviction that producing an important film is not enough. It must also be made accessible, discoverable and relevant to people who may never otherwise encounter its story.
