Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listens as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a joint statement in the East Room of the White House on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Credit: Sarah Silbiger/AFP)
The Bibi Files, a documentary directed by Alexis Bloom and produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, premiered on Monday as a work-in-progress at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), delivering a scathing examination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu's political and legal scandals.
The film is based on thousands of hours of never-before-seen footage, leaked to Gibney in 2023, of Israeli police interrogating Netanyahu, his family and his inner circle regarding corruption charges spanning from 2016 to 2018.
Corruption at the top
According to information published on the TIFF website, the documentary opens with footage of Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, enraged by interrogator's questions. At one point, she dismisses the evidence against the Netanyahu family as “utter and complete bullshit.” Benjamin Netanyahu on the other hand, “looks relaxed, slouching slightly in his suit and tie.” When he is asked whether he requested to conceal a box of Cohiba cigars, priced at around $1,100, that he received from an Israeli billionaire, he replies nonchalantly, “Perhaps. I don’t remember.”
Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister's son, during his interrogation, had several outbursts and compared the investigators to the Stasi and Gestapo, the film later referring to him as "The Yair Netanyahu horror show."
The Bibi Files explores three corruption cases — dubbed Case 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000. These cases involve allegations of bribery, breach of trust and media manipulation. Raviv Drucker, a veteran investigative journalist and co-producer of the documentary, explains how lavish gifts like expensive cigars and champagne from billionaire allies Arnon Milchan and James Packer were exchanged for political favors.
France24 also reported that Case 2,000 involves Netanyahu negotiating in favor of the owner of Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth against a rival newspaper, and Case 4,000 involves alleged bribery and breach of trust over a “reciprocal deal,” this time with then-owner of the popular Walla news site both allegedly in exchange for favorable coverage.
Israel’s judiciary and democracy in crisis
The film also touches on Netanyahu’s contentious relationship with the judiciary, highlighting his attempts to reform Israel’s Supreme Court to protect himself from legal consequences. This reform agenda and his criminal charges have sparked massive protests in Israel since early 2023, coinciding with his reelection campaign.
The documentary’s release coincides with the ongoing Gaza war, raising the stakes even further. In the film, Ami Ayalon, a former head of Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, tells interviewers that Netanyahu’s legal battles have compromised Israel's ability to respond effectively to its enemies.
The Bibi Files is made for an international audience, not in the lease because the film cannot be officially screened in Israel due to privacy laws that prevent the release of police interrogation footage without the consent of the individuals involved — a detail noted by Gibney with full acknowledgment that Netanyahu is unlikely to give his permission, especially after trying his best to stop the film’s screening in Toronto.
On Monday, the Jerusalem District Court rejected Netanyahu's request that the court block the TIFF screening. According to a Times of Israel report, the judge ruled that the prime minister waited too long after the film was announced before filing his motion. However, it's unclear how an Israeli court would go about preventing an overseas screening. Ukrainian officials called on TIFF to pull a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers from its schedule, but TIFF has not heeded the request.
Polarized reactions
The public reaction to The Bibi Files has been polarizing, particularly in light of the film’s bold revelations. According to France24, dozens of protesters rallied outside the cinema during the Toronto screening, condemning Netanyahu’s behavior during the ongoing Gaza war, with protestors urging him to prioritize saving hostages over protecting his political career.
Israeli media reactions have been mixed, with some outlets highlighting the documentary’s legal and ethical complexities. Times of Israel noted that the film, while “scathing,” could reshape Netanyahu’s international image, exposing previously hidden facets of his leadership.
The Jerusalem Post focused at length on the attempts by Netanyahu's legal team to have the film banned from being shown in Israel. Haaretz questioned whether the documentary actually had much to reveal that wasn't already known, but still considered the film a necessary reminder of the Israeli prime minister's real priorities.
“We felt like it was urgent to get it out,” director Alex Bloom said, "in terms of it being a work-in-progress.” Gibney echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to provoke discussion, saying, “People are dying every day, and we wanted to make a statement with this film.”
As it continues to seek distribution, The Bibi Files promises to fuel debates both in Israel and internationally about leadership, accountability, and the political stakes at play in the Middle East.
“It’s an old-fashioned truth-to-power film. And he’s in power,” Bloom said.