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.
Claim
People fleeing a beach in Tel Aviv as siren blares warning against an attack from Gaza.
Fact
Two-year-old video of beach goers in Tel Aviv shared without context.
As the violent conflict between Israel and Gaza escalates, a video of a crowd fleeing a beach as sirens are heard blaring, is being widely shared on social media platforms. Those who shared the video claimed that it shows beachgoers in Tel Aviv, Israel rushing to take shelter following a siren warning. A few users further added that the siren rang to warn people of a rocket attack from Gaza. Newschecker found that the video is two-year-old, and is being shared out of context.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Video From Game Simulator Shared As ‘Pyramid Railway Bridge’ In Israel
Fact Check/Verification
A Yandex reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral footage led us to an Instagram post by @vittoria.ritter, dated May 16, 2021. The location of the post read “Tel Aviv, Israel.”
The post carried the viral clip, with users stating, “No matter where we are, or what were doing, the second the alarm goes off we don’t have time. We have a few seconds to run to the safest place closest to us… (sic)”
Further, we looked up the keyframes of the video on Google along with keywords “Crowd flee beach” “Tel Aviv” and “Israel.” This yielded a Facebook post by the verified page of @IsraelinPeru, dated May 16, 2021.
Displaying the viral footage, the post stated, “Images from this afternoon from the Tel Aviv beach, sirens sounded by a rocket fired from #Gaza towards the centre of #Israel . We are living an unacceptable reality that no country would tolerate. (translated from Spanish with Google)”
On May 15, 2021, @aljazeerachannel had also posted the video on it’s Facebook page with the caption, “The moment beach goer in #Tel_Aviv escaped en masse after the warning sirens sounded… (translated from Arabic with Google)”
The viral footage was shared on multiple platforms, including YouTube, to show a crowd at a Tel Aviv beach fleeing to safety as sirens go off in May 2021. Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup- Old Video From Morocco Shared As Fans Singing Pro-Palestine Song At Qatar Stadium
Conclusion
Viral video of people fleeing from a beach in Tel Aviv is nearly two-year-old, and is being shared out of context.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Instagram Post By @vittoria.ritter, Dated May 16, 2021
Facebook Post By @IsraelinPeru, Dated May 16, 2021
Facebook Post By @aljazeerachannel, Dated May 15, 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.
