Benjamin Netanyahu proposes stripping citizenship for IDF critics

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed legislation that would allow the state to revoke the citizenship of individuals who publicly criticize the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or the state abroad. The proposal aims to target those accused of defaming the military, specifically citing the documentary ‘NAZA’, which alleges the IDF knowingly killed large numbers of civilians in Gaza.

Netanyahu also intends to advance a separate bill to increase damages in defamation cases involving the state or the IDF to as much as NIS 1 million (approximately $329,000). He cited various instances of criticism, including remarks by political leaders and leaked surveillance footage from the Sde Teiman detention facility, as justification for targeting those responsible ‘both in their pockets and in their citizenship.’

Currently, Israeli law limits citizenship revocation to narrow cases involving treason, terrorism, or serious espionage, and requires court involvement. While Culture Minister Miki Zohar supported the move, President Isaac Herzog rejected the idea of stripping filmmakers' citizenship, calling the proposal ‘completely irrelevant’ and stating it had ‘no chance’ of occurring, despite his own criticism of the documentary’s content.