Netflix has declined to stream #Nova, a 52-minute Israeli documentary about the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova music festival, citing that it is “too political.” The decision has drawn attention amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has drawn strong international criticism and claims of large-scale civilian casualties in the territory.
The documentary, directed by Dan Pe’er and produced by Yes Studios, presents raw, user-generated footage from the disaster. It shows footage of the festival attack without narration or commentary. Among the approximately 1,200 Israelis killed on October 7, 364 died at the Nova festival. The film is already available on Amazon Prime Video.
Netflix’s rejection follows its earlier removal in October 2024 of a “Palestinian Stories” collection — a move that itself sparked controversy when licensing expired. Critics now say the platform’s refusal to host #Nova may reflect broader sensitivities around how media platforms handle narratives amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Supporters of the decision say Netflix avoided amplifying one side of a highly fraught narrative. On social media, some have praised the move as aligning with demands for more balanced representation during the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Some users framed it as resisting what they see as pro-Israeli messaging overshadowing suffering in Gaza, where health authorities say over 40,000 Palestinians have died.
Opponents argue that #Nova offers a factual or neutral record of the festival attack and that rejecting it suppresses an important testimony. In 2024, a group of 13 UK MPs sent a letter urging Netflix to stream the film as a neutral documentary, but the company declined.
The genocide in Gaza continues into its third year. Millions have been displaced, infrastructure across Gaza has been severely damaged, and the conflict has drawn sustained global condemnation for the humanitarian impact.
