NAZA (2026)

The documentary NAZA—named after the Hebrew acronym for "collateral damage"—hit U.S. theaters in Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle on Oct. 9 after a contentious debut in New York. Produced by The Guardian and distributed with help from independent studio mk2, the film claims to expose a calculated system that led Israel to kill Palestinian civilians in Gaza, drawing on anonymous interviews with 24 Israeli intelligence and military officials. Israel’s Defense Forces have dismissed the allegations as “absurd contradictions,” questioning the film’s sources and veracity. A fresh poll from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs shows American favorability toward Israel sliding to a record‑low 44 on a 0‑100 scale—the lowest reading since the organization began tracking opinions in 1974. The drop spans the political spectrum: Democrats fell from 52 to 30, Republicans from 69 to 62, and independents from 56 to 41. For the first time, a majority of Americans (56%) say the U.S. should reduce or cut military aid to Israel, up from 38% a year ago. Analysts link the shift to Israel’s war on Hamas, U.S. backing of that conflict, and the broader U.S.–Israeli stance toward Iran, noting that the once‑bipartisan consensus on Israel is now sharply divided. While the Israeli government and groups like the ADL warn that the film spreads incomplete or scapegoating narratives, the controversy surrounding NAZA is already shaping public debate and could influence upcoming midterm elections and future U.S. policy toward its long‑standing Middle‑East partner.