Critical documentary aired by ARD on Benjamin Netanyahu
After a legal battle, the German broadcaster ARD decided to air "The Bibi Files" on Wednesday. The documentary, which premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, was produced by Alexis Bloom and Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney.
The film, which focuses on Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's former prime minister, struggled to find a streaming platform willing to show it, despite being nominated for an Oscar. Netanyahu attempted to block the release of the documentary through legal means, citing privacy laws. However, his lawsuit was dismissed by the Jerusalem court, paving the way for its broadcast.
The reason for Netanyahu's attempt to prevent the film's release is revealed in the documentary: it presents candid facts without speculation. The documentary accuses Netanyahu and his wife of accepting expensive gifts in quid pro quo arrangements, and it portrays him and his political allies as attempting to undermine Israel’s judicial system and prolong the Gaza war to maintain power. The film includes sensitive material such as police interrogation footage of Netanyahu and members of his family.
Despite being banned officially in Israel, the documentary has been widely pirated in the country. The controversy surrounding the film has fueled ongoing public debate about transparency and justice in Netanyahu’s career.
References:
- Haaretz
- The Hollywood Reporter
- The New York Times
- BBC News
Movies-and-tv platforms initially refused to stream the controversial documentary "The Bibi Files," but after legal battles, it found a home on ARD. This film, produced by Alexis Bloom and Alex Gibney, offers stark insights into the entertainment realm, accusing Israel's former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of accepting expensive gifts, undermining the judicial system, and prolonging the Gaza war.
