The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) joins the International Documentary Association (IDA) in expressing its support for Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, directors of the documentary NAZA, and in calling for an end to threats and intimidation directed against them in response to their work.

As NAZA begins its international theatrical release, Abraham and Szor have faced threats from senior Israeli officials, including calls for the revocation of their citizenship, alongside a broader campaign of public intimidation against the filmmakers and their families. These threats come as the film is poised to reach audiences around the world, including Canadian audiences beginning this October.

Governments, institutions, and audiences have every right to challenge, criticize and debate the claims that documentaries make. But disagreement cannot justify threats against filmmakers, retaliation for their work, or interference with their ability to protect confidential sources.

DOC is a partner of the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR), and has repeatedly joined colleagues in Canada and around the world in defending filmmakers facing persecution, intimidation and threats because of their work. The ability of documentary filmmakers to investigate matters of public interest—including subjects that are politically contentious or deeply uncomfortable—is fundamental to a free and independent documentary culture. State power must never be used to punish filmmakers for documenting, investigating or expressing perspectives on matters of public concern.

DOC supports IDA’s call on the Government of Israel to withdraw threats to revoke the citizenship of Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor; to respect the filmmakers’ right to protect confidential sources; and to reject measures that would penalize filmmakers or public film funding on the basis of critical expression or international recognition.

We join IDA in calling for an end to the intimidation directed at Abraham, Szor and their families, and stand with documentary filmmakers everywhere whose ability to work freely and safely is threatened because of the stories they choose to tell.