International news in seven languages
Topic
The documentary "Naza" is at the heart of the controversy in Israel. Awarded to the Venice Mostra, the film gives the floor to anonymous Israeli sources accusing the army of intentionally killing civilians in Gaza. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday, 16 September, that he would "dismiss their citizenship" the people who "defam" the Israeli army.
Saying "Free Palestine" on a stage cost Macklemore his place on Ed Sheeran's American tour. The rapper was removed after ruling on Gaza and the West Bank, following a request from the Israeli-American council and the opposition of several stadiums owners. Sheeran claims that the decision was not his, but of the promoters and the headquarters, but the controversy has not stopped growing: several of the invited artists and television players, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
The Israeli filmmakers behind the award-winning documentary "NAZA", which uses anonymous military sources to speak about Israel's widespread killing of civilians in Gaza, have been the subject of a wave of threats and intimidation in their home country, one that has even targeted their families. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he intends to introduce legislation aimed at revoking the citizenship of people who "defame IDF soldiers."
With works about Gaza, Ukraine and Elon Musk, political cinema is in the spotlight at the 2026 Venice Film Festival.
From Iran to Gaza and Lebanon, assassinations have repeatedly removed figures capable of negotiating an end to conflict.
The backlash against the Gaza documentary is part of a broader refusal to confront the reality of the genocide.
In a statement, RTÉ said it feels Ireland's participation "cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza".
