The Special Jury Prize win at the Venice Film Festival for the film "NAZA" ("Collateral Damage") by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor ignited the violent nationalist narrative of the 2026 election campaign within mainstream media.

This is according to an analysis by "The Seventh Eye" using the Subtext system, which combines artificial intelligence and human analysis, examining prime-time and pre-prime-time broadcasts across five television channels (Kan 11, Channel 12, Channel 13, Channel 14, and i24).

Over the past week, mainstream media has seen a significant rise in calls for committing war crimes in Gaza and incitement to violence. Ironically, much of the inflammatory rhetoric was directed at the creators of a film about war crimes in Gaza, while the calls for such crimes were often accompanied by a denial of their occurrence.

The vast majority of these remarks were broadcast on channels i24 and 14, but harsh and inflammatory statements about the film and its creators could also be heard on the news channels Kan 11, Channel 12, and Channel 13.

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"The Seventh Eye" has identified violent nationalism as one of the central narratives expected to accompany deceptive and false electioneering in the upcoming campaign. This narrative frame calls for war crimes and incitement to violence as a legitimate and even desirable stance for the "Israeli side" of the country. According to this narrative, anyone who opposes war crimes is vilified and publicly denounced as a traitor who prioritizes the lives of the enemy over the lives of our own children.

This manipulative distinction is intended to build political capital by branding candidates and parties as "not of Israel," implying that they care more about Israel's global image or about human rights and the rule of law than about national security and exacting revenge on the country's enemies.

This narrative aims to heighten the level of hatred and racism in Israeli public discourse and also strengthens another central narrative: the delegitimization of Arab citizens of Israel, to thwart attempts to form a political coalition with them.

i24 Channel Leads in Violent Nationalism

"The Seventh Eye" conducts a weekly analysis of narratives in television broadcasts. This week, the analysis revealed a significant rise in discourse on violent nationalism. Over the past week (September 10–17), 596 instances of violent nationalism were identified across the five television channels. By comparison, a total of 387 such instances were found throughout the entire month of July.

The analysis further reveals that the i24 channel retains the lead in violent nationalist discourse, consistent with findings from previous reports. A total of 214 instances, nearly half of all such cases recorded over the past week, were broadcast on this channel. The findings are also categorized by severity. Another feature of the statements aired on i24 is their severity level, which frequently reaches the high or even extreme range.

Ori Qual, host of "HaYisraelim" on i24 (screenshot)

For instance, on the program "HaYisraelim" (hosted by Ori Qual), explicit calls were made to commit war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and even genocide. Oren Hazan, a regular panelist on the show and a former Likud Member of Knesset, said on air:

"We need to understand one thing: in Gaza, everyone is Hamas, and the only way to eliminate the terrorist cancer living in Gaza is simply to wipe everyone out and establish Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip . . . Everyone is Hamas, everyone must be eliminated. If it were possible to use a nuclear weapon, I would do it."

Attorney Shai Galili, the Likud party's internal auditor, said on the program that some believe "if we just deal with Hamas, the problem is solved, and I say the enemy is not Hamas. The enemy is the civilian population that creates Hamas, which is its breeding ground and the factory that produces jihadists." He went on to add, "If there is a building containing five thousand civilians and one terrorist, you bring down the building," and even clarified, "I want deportation."

Direct Response to Collateral Damage

Hazan also agitated against the creators of the film "NAZA" on the program "HaYisraelim": "These are traitors, and they deserve the fate of traitors, period. They reminded me of those vile 'Judeo-Nazi' Jews who used their Jewish identity to deliver other Jews over to the Nazis. These people have no right to exist. That is how blunt I am. We shouldn't strip them of their citizenship. You're right, they need to stay here. Behind bars."

The following day, Guy Chen, a panelist on the show "Madad Gilboa" (hosted by Niv Gilboa), said of the filmmakers: "I don't know what you saw, but I saw two wretched, sick individuals. I'm no psychiatrist, but to identify with and support the enemy, especially during wartime, is a severe mental illness, uh, these people are truly causing terrible harm to the State of Israel."

Chen also called for the documentary filmmakers to be prosecuted: "We are discussing the legal aspect here, so perhaps it is time for the legislature to enact a law that allows for the prosecution of those people who inflict such severe harm on the State of Israel. I believe the State Attorney's Office should look into the statute books and find some kind of clause and put those people on trial."

Meanwhile, on the daily program "Sheva with Sharon Gal," panelist Harel Knafo cited an existing legal provision and said he very much hoped that "they get their hands on these people and they need to be tried for treason, not anything else, for treason."

Indeed, when we delved into examining the rise in the figures, we discovered that the cause was the extensive engagement around the film "NAZA," which was largely negative, ranging from substantive criticism and smears to verbal abuse and even incitement to violence against the filmmakers.

The incitement directed at the filmmakers who raised the issue of the tens of thousands of civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip (a figure acknowledged by all sides) did not fall along the fault line dividing Israeli society, between Netanyahu's opponents and his supporters.

So, for example, Miki Levin, a panelist on the i24 program "HaYisraelim," commented: "People of this sort are enemies from within. They are truly worse than any enemy out there . . . even if, and I don't know, I haven't seen the film, but even if they really do show catastrophic collateral damage, you simply don't release that during wartime, period. This is an act of treason in the eyes of the state."

The channel coming closest to i24 in terms of findings is Channel 14, the channel of agitation and propaganda that serves as a model for i24. For instance, Yehuda Schlesinger, host of the channel's daily program "Sheva" (taking over after his co-host landed a spot on the Likud party's Knesset list), explained that:

"With these people there is no point in talking. . . . Stripping them of citizenship is all well and good, but I have a better idea. To hound them, chase them, give them no peace. If they dare set their filthy feet in Israel, they must not be given a moment's peace, outside their homes, at work, in cafés, while socializing, through lawful and legitimate protest. . . . We need to step up to the challenge, to organize a task force of Jews in Israel and abroad, to show these two and especially those who follow them . . . that there is a price to pay and it's heavy, very heavy."

Another broadcaster on the channel, advertising executive Noam Fathi, labeled the film's creators "Hamasniks" ("We are talking about a Hamasnik who announced to you that he is a Hamasnik. Yes . . . a Hamasnik, yes, a Hamas operative").

Another broadcaster, advertising executive Yotam Zimri, defined them as Jewish terrorists ("It must be said that these two directors are Jewish terrorists far more so than any Hilltop Youth because ultimately, what they did was damage Israel's standing globally a hundred times more than any Hilltop Youth in Judea and Samaria. That is how they should be treated, as two Jewish terrorists"), while a third broadcaster, Tamir Morag, explained during the channel's "Mahadrot Hadashot" that they were enemy agents ("In any case, Netanyahu is in a head-on attack against enemy propaganda agents from within Israeli society").

We Didn't Commit War Crimes, and It's a Shame

Another important finding is the internal contradiction within much of the discourse surrounding the film: many commenters say the IDF did not commit war crimes, while explicitly or implicitly calling for the commission of war crimes.

So, for instance, Tomer Brook, a candidate for the "Israel First" party, said on the i24 channel's "Chamesh" news program: "We are more scrupulous than any other army in the world about collateral damage, and make sure we strike and kill only the terrorists. There is no such thing as a 'clean' battlefield; there are always casualties. Their leaders and their people, among whom there are no innocent individuals, should take this into account."

"I think all of Gaza needs to be destroyed. I don't understand this talk—why is it forbidden now to say what was permissible to say after October 7th? All of Gaza must be razed. Not a single house in Gaza should remain near us. Not a single Gazan should be near the State of Israel. This is a Nazi state. What is it you don't understand? A bunch of lunatics who are going to align with Mansour Abbas. Lunatics, they want another October 7th," cried Shimon Riklin on his program "Riklin & Co."

"There are no innocents in Gaza; they are all bloodthirsty Jew-haters who aspire to become martyrs," said Yehuda Schlesinger, host of the program "Sheva." And Gabi Siboni, a regular panelist on the channel, explained on the show "Sof Shavua" that "the problem is neither the Rafah Brigade nor Hamas. The problem is the barbaric population, the barbaric rabble that piles up in Gaza, for whom there is no future unless we succeed in having them emigrate."

The Agitation Also Reaches News Channels

The analysis further reveals that this time, the discourse around "NAZA" has led to violent nationalist rhetoric also spilling into mainstream news channels (11, 12, 13). For example, on the program "Sheva" on Kan 11 (hosted by Ayala Hasson and rotating co-hosts), panelist Nadav Haetzni argued that "Israeli society needs to denounce and condemn them. . . . You have to understand, they are traitors; that's what they are. There is a thing called aiding the enemy during wartime."

On the comparable program on Channel 12 ("Sheva," hosted by Keren Marciano), regular panelist Moshe Klughaft explained that "one must still distinguish between those who speak out against the IDF and make films against the IDF, and those who speak about the enemy—even if in an incorrect or inappropriate way [i.e., those calling for the commission of war crimes]." After listing all the other antisemites and detractors of Israel, except for the filmmakers themselves, the communications consultant concluded by asking: "Is a film in 2026 just a film, or is it the beginning of the next act of terror?"

Similar comments were heard on Channel 13 as well. Haetzni, who also appeared on the program "Ezor Bechira" (hosted by Raviv Drucker and rotating co-hosts), explained that "the only real damage here is the non-collateral damage caused by the enemies—and by the way, the entity that produced this film isn't Israeli; it's 'The Guardian,' a far-left British newspaper, and two internal Israeli enemies . . . enemies whose actions, I believe, the government's legal counsel should certainly investigate. There are provisions in the Penal Code addressing wartime propaganda on behalf of the enemy." On "Sichat HaYom" (host: Lucy Aharish), Roni Mana argued that "we really shouldn't allow it; we need to revoke the citizenship of these two directors. It's absolutely disgusting, vile, and repulsive."

But the most violent discourse on Channel 13 was reflected in the program "Moriah & Berko" (hosted by Moriah Asraf and Eyal Berkovic), where it appeared there was a competition among studio participants over the intensity of their incitement against the film's creators.

"This is a matter of national security," explained media consultant Asif Elkayam. "The eighth front—the front of influencing public consciousness, the front where they [the filmmakers] are fighting against us—is likely the most significant front for the State of Israel today."

The media consultant also offered advice to the State of Israel: "The State of Israel must recognize the eighth front as an official front and in accordance with a government decision define it as a security front. Then we would be able to classify anyone aiding the enemy on this front, like these people, as enemies. I am not saying they are traitors right now, but . . . we would also be able to deal with people of this type who are causing us harm on precisely this front."

Another panelist, Ilan Lotan, accused the filmmakers of antisemitism, while Moriah Asraf, the show's host, explained that in her view, comparing the making of the film to collaborating with Iran was not far-fetched. The other host, Eyal Berkovic, called for a "very, very severe" punishment for the filmmakers since the film constitutes "incitement against the State of Israel and the combat troops . . . anyone who opposes the State of Israel should face prosecution."

Violent Nationalism as Part of Electioneering

Later in the studio discussion, Berkovic expressed enthusiasm for the idea of revoking the citizenship of the filmmakers and suggested, while he was at it, revoking the citizenship of attorney Gaby Lasky, an election candidate representing "The Democrats," "because she hates Israel."

This comment by Berkovic about Lasky, made without any context relevant to the studio discussion, also illustrates how media outlets leverage the violent and unacceptable rhetoric about the filmmakers into a political campaign. Those who didn't condemn the film, for instance candidates from "The Democrats" party, are branded as traitors and collaborators who must be dealt with just like the filmmakers themselves. And any other party willing to cooperate with those who did not condemn the film is likewise a traitorous leftist, one who is "not of Israel."

For instance, panelist Eti Craif clarified in the "HaYisraelim" studio on i24 that she "expects Eisenkot, who criticizes Bardugo for rejecting the Chief of Staff, to reject the very list with which he intends to sign a vote-surplus agreement. The same list, parts of which smear IDF soldiers and praise the disgraceful film made by fringe creators against IDF soldiers."

Meanwhile, panelist Sagiv Asulin clearly described what he saw as the obvious connection between the film and the upcoming elections: "Any Israeli citizen who gets angry to the core on seeing this film and its creators needs a minute to consider the people likely to serve in the Knesset . . . who represent these views, and who their partners will be in the next Knesset."

Asulin went on to elaborate: "The Democrats party today is a post-Zionist party that represents these positions. They have partners—Eisenkot and others, and certainly the Arab parties. Therefore, this is an important conversation, and we need to draw the connection between these facts and the elections."

This is another example of the distinct use of the "violent nationalism belongs to Israel" narrative which defines who is and who is not a legitimate election candidate, based on their attitude toward war crimes or those who condemn them.

The controversy surrounding the film has also been used to delegitimize elected Arab officials in Israel. "I think it is right for the Arab population to have representation in the Knesset. That representation needs to be, I won't say Zionist, but representation that accepts the State of Israel and can say that Hamas is a terrorist organization," explains Elkayam on the "Moriah & Berko" show. "Until that happens, even though I, much like you, want a unity government, I will not call for lifting the boycott on the Arab parties, because in my view, I perceive them as enemies in our midst."

Further evidence of the political exploitation of the "controversy" surrounding the film "NAZA" is its linkage to the "traitors from within" conspiracy, a common, false theory. For instance, on the Channel 14 program "Riklin & Co.," the advertising executive Fathi explained: "I tell you, if an Israeli guy is capable of such a move, aligning himself with the Hamasniks and saying, 'Here, take it, this is my weapon, from me to you' . . . then honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if there are traitors among us who also helped open the gates."

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More Examples of Incitement on Channel 14

Attack and agitation against the filmmakers:

"Now let's learn something about Yuval Abraham and what's-her-name, the other broken soul. Every child in Israel knows the concept of the Nazis and their collaborators. Throughout history, any non-Jew who wanted to hang a Jew always somehow found a Jew nearby to hold the ladder for him. Not out of fear, and not always for money, but so they would love him, to feel like part of the group. It's the oldest profession in the world, just so you know. . . ." Yotam Zimri, "HaPatriotim" (The Patriots), Channel 14, September 17, 2026.

"We have here an incident of damage to national security. These officers and soldiers signed the highest possible security clearance agreement . . . they betrayed the army's trust. They betrayed the citizens' trust. . . . Folks, a Shin Bet investigation needs to be launched here. We need to get to each and every one of these people and prosecute them." Erel Segal, "HaMahadura HaMerkazit" (The Main Newscast), Channel 14, September 14, 2026.

"Rachel Szor. Look at her, and now look at yourselves. Now tell me honestly: how can you be angry at someone with bangs cut like that? . . . We should have realized from the start that a person who chooses to look like that from a young age would eventually decide to sell out their country for warmth and love." Yotam Zimri, "HaPatriotim" (The Patriots), Channel 14, September 17, 2026.

"At precisely these moments, two directors sneak in and stab our soldiers and an entire nation in the back, and twist the knife . . . This is what a modern, reckless blood libel against the State of Israel looks like." Amir Ivgi, "Chamesh," Channel 14, September 14, 2026.

"The discourse that needs to take place in Israel today shouldn't be about the merits of a specific argument or claim; it's about the revocation of citizenship, about aiding the enemy during wartime, but we are light-years away from that. . . . Until we realize this isn't a matter of reputational image, damage to public diplomacy, but a threat to national security, we will be playing on the wrong field. . . . If this issue, the battleground of consciousness and influence . . . is not defined as a security threat within the Cabinet . . . we will continue to lose." Sagiv Asulin, "Chamesh," Channel 14, September 14, 2026.

"There are also, uncomfortable as it is to say, enemies in our midst, not just outside Israel." Dror Kapach, "Chamesh," Channel 14, September 14, 2026.

"They aren't 'useful idiots'; they are people who actually belong to the global propaganda campaign against Israel, which fuels all the antisemitism. . . . These people have caused damage, an attack, as far as I'm concerned, a public diplomacy disaster, for which they ought to be investigated." Amit Asa, "Chamesh," Channel 14, September 15, 2026.

"The State . . . must prosecute them. . . . We need to pull these creators off the red carpet and put them behind bars." Attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, "Riklin & Co.," Channel 14, September 15, 2026.

"First of all, the political leadership must not wait a single moment for a decision from a legal or other authority to launch a security investigation into this incident, because this is a security incident, and I'm setting aside the damage to public perception . . . the immense global damage caused by this. Action must be taken here and now, immediately." Sagiv Asulin, "Chamesh," Channel 14, September 16, 2026.

Calls for war crimes, delegitimization, and incitement to violence against Palestinians and Arab Israelis:

"Listen, it's impossible, impossible, impossible to educate Palestinians any other way. For Palestinians, their entire essence is the murder of Jews. There is no 'denazification' of Palestinians." Yotam Zimri, "HaPatriotim" (The Patriots), Channel 14, September 16, 2026.

"I think all of Gaza needs to be destroyed. I don't understand this talk—why is it forbidden now to say what was permissible to say after October 7th? All of Gaza must be razed. Not a single house in Gaza should remain near us. Not a single Gazan should be near the State of Israel. This is a Nazi state. What is it you don't understand? A bunch of lunatics who are going to align with Mansour Abbas. Lunatics, they want another October 7th." Shimon Riklin, "Riklin & Co.," Channel 14, September 16, 2026.

"There are no innocents in Gaza; they are all bloodthirsty Jew-haters who aspire to become martyrs." Yehuda Schlesinger, "Sheva," Channel 14, September 16, 2026.

"The lives of our fighters take precedence over the lives of the enemy, and the moral failure is that we should have protected them better and that the collateral damage should have been much higher. . . . Our fighters on the battlefield need to receive a massive umbrella of fire, which strikes both the enemy and the enemy population that openly supports the enemy, so that our soldiers return safe and sound to the greatest extent possible." Hallel Biton Rosen, "Chamesh," Channel 14, September 14, 2026.

"I don't know of any innocent people in the Gaza Strip. I am terribly sorry. The whole issue of 'uninvolved civilians' is completely beyond my understanding. How many IDF soldiers and how many Israeli citizens have been killed because we spared 'uninvolved civilians'?" Shimon Riklin, "Riklin & Co.," Channel 14, September 14, 2026.

"The problem is neither the Rafah Brigade nor Hamas. The problem is the barbaric population, the barbaric rabble that piles up in Gaza, for whom there is no future unless we succeed in having them emigrate." Gabi Siboni, "Sof Shavua," Channel 14, September 17, 2026.

"Whoever breaks in, rapes our daughters, murders our children, slaughters everyone at a music festival because that is the goal, will also suffer collateral damage; and in my view, the more, the better." Yotam Zimri, "HaPatriotim" (The Patriots), Channel 14, September 15, 2026.

"I don't see an issue, uh, a moral violation, in there being collateral damage. . . . You want to destroy the enemy hiding among civilians? Then there is collateral damage." Yinon Magal, "HaPatriotim" (The Patriots), Channel 14, September 16, 2026.