Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu celebrating the Lebanon pager explosions.
Fact
Video dates back to 2021 shared in a false context.
At least nine people were killed, and thousands injured after multiple pagers used by the members of the Hezbollah group exploded in Lebanon on Tuesday. The group held Israel responsible for the attack, and vowed retaliation.
In this backdrop, a video purportedly showing Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu whistling and singing inside a car is going viral on social media platforms, with users claiming that the footage shows him “celebrating” the “attack on Lebanon.” Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
The 17-second-long-footage is being widely shared on X to show the Israeli PM in a celebratory mood after pager explosions in Lebanon.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Viral Photo Of Kamala Harris With Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is Edited
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Netanyahu,” and “whistling” in Hebrew on YouTube yielded a post by @teslamanrotternet2319, dated March 11, 2021. Carrying the same video of the Israeli PM, it stated, “Netanyahu whistles ‘Likud is in the heart’ (translated from Hebrew via Google)”
We also found multiple Facebook posts, such as this, this and this, from March 2021 featuring the viral footage showing Netanyahu whistling and singing in the car.
Also Read: Did Adani Group Bribe Kenyan Officials For Projects? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral ‘Press Release’
Israeli website ‘kikar.co.il’ also featured the video in a report published on March 11, 2021. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 71 years old, is ploughing the country from north to south in preparation for the elections, and he is using the long roads to hold talks with his supporters. Last night Netanyahu was filmed whistling the Likud national anthem,” it stated. Netanyahu is a part of the Likud party.
Furthermore, the video was also shared on Netanyahu’s official TikTok account in March, 2021.
Conclusion
Hence, the viral video claiming to show Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu “celebrating” the recent pager explosions in Lebanon is actually from 2021.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By @teslamanrotternet2319, Dated March 11, 2021
Report By kikar.co.il, Dated March 11, 2021
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
