The drama around The Bibi Files takes a sharp turn as an Israeli court denied Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bid to block the film from premiering in Toronto. This documentary digs into his ongoing legal battle — spotlighting his tangled web of political controversies, particularly the police interrogations from 2016-2018 involving him and his family. The heart of it? Allegations that Netanyahu traded political favors for luxurious gifts and favorable media coverage. Netanyahu, not one to take accusations lightly, calls the whole ordeal a “witch hunt.” Still, the scandal refuses to let up.
His lawsuit — an attempt to halt the screening — targeted both the Israeli state and investigative journalist Raviv Drucker, one of the film’s producers. Netanyahu’s camp argued that releasing footage of these interrogations violated Israeli law, which forbids such materials from being aired without prior approval. But his efforts came too late. The film was already set to be shown, with 200 attendees watching in Toronto, intrigued by a glimpse of one of Israel’s most embattled political figures.
The Bibi Files documentary premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival despite Netanyahu’s efforts to stop it.#Netanyahu #tiff #documentary #Bibi pic.twitter.com/FLMaFAiyDM
— TG Wilson🔻 (@_tgwilson_) September 12, 2024
Yet, The Bibi Files isn’t just about Netanyahu’s personal legal mess. The documentary lays bare the larger political landscape — especially the recent October 7 Hamas-led attack that exposed vulnerabilities under his leadership. It delves into the security lapses leading up to the attack, adding fuel to the fire as Netanyahu faces mounting criticism both at home and abroad.
Gibney, addressing the Toronto audience, didn’t mince words — the film was urgent. It needed to be shown to the world, especially as Israel grapples with democratic backsliding and a controversial judicial overhaul under Netanyahu’s government. His co-director, Alexis Bloom, echoed the sentiment. This story wasn’t just timely — it was burning to be told.
Netanyahu’s leaked police interrogation videos are seen for the first time as The Bibi Files documentary played at Toronto International Film Festival. #TIFF #TheBibiFiles #Netanyahu pic.twitter.com/L1HQxj7xjS
— Muslim Network TV (@MuslimNetworkTV) September 10, 2024
Despite privacy laws in Israel that could stop the film from being shown there, Gibney hinted it might still find its way into the country, bypassing the official channels. This wasn’t his first dive into Netanyahu’s controversial actions either. Back in 2016, Gibney made Zero Days, which spotlighted the Stuxnet malware, a digital weapon developed by Israel and the U.S. to hinder Iran’s nuclear program — a project, as the film suggests, Netanyahu rushed into without full U.S. consent.
Gibney’s vision for The Bibi Files is to peel back the layers of Netanyahu’s leadership, giving the world an unvarnished view of the man behind the power, his decisions, and the consequences they’ve left behind.
Major Points
- Netanyahu’s attempt to block The Bibi Files documentary was rejected by an Israeli court.
- The film highlights police interrogations of Netanyahu and his family over alleged corruption charges.
- The documentary also addresses the October 7 Hamas-led attack, adding pressure on Netanyahu’s leadership.
- The filmmakers stressed the urgency of showing the film, citing its relevance to Israel’s political climate.
- Israeli privacy laws prevent the documentary from screening there, but the filmmakers hinted it may still reach Israeli viewers through unofficial channels.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
