New Delhi: Speculation about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spread widely on social media on Saturday after users questioned the authenticity of a video posted from his official account, with some claiming the clip appeared to show an artificial intelligence-generated anomaly.
The controversy began after Netanyahu shared a video message on X on Friday addressing the ongoing Israel–US war against Iran, which has entered its 15th day and has significantly escalated tensions across the Middle East. In the video, several social media users claimed that Netanyahu’s right hand appeared to show six fingers, triggering speculation that the footage may have been generated or altered using artificial intelligence.
Posts highlighting the alleged anomaly quickly gained traction online, drawing millions of views and prompting widespread debate. Some users described the image as a “classic AI finger glitch”, while others questioned whether the video had been digitally manipulated. Some online posts also suggested that Iran had launched attacks specifically targeting Netanyahu or members of his family suggesting that the Israeli prime minister might have died.
These claims surfaced amid the broader escalation between Israel, the United States and Iran following the conflict that began on February 28.
Among those who raised questions online was American political commentator Candace Owens, who posted on X asking about Netanyahu’s whereabouts and whether the video was authentic.
However, fact-checking reviews and official clarifications indicate that the claims circulating online are misleading. Analysts say many of the viral posts relied on fabricated screenshots, misinterpreted visuals and unverified social media commentary that spread rapidly during the heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict with Iran.
Addressing the speculation, Grok said, “The image showing Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu apparently with six fingers is misleading and effectively “fake” in the sense that it does not accurately depict reality—it’s not evidence of an extra finger, AI generation, or anything unusual.”
Multiple independent fact-checks from sources like PolitiFact, Snopes, Lead Stories, and others examined the original footage from official Israeli Government Press Office channels and concluded that Netanyahu has the normal five fingers on each hand, and the “sixth finger” appearance is an optical illusion caused by the angle of his hand while pointing/gesturing at the podium.
“This is a classic case of a misleading screenshot taken out of context, similar to past viral “AI finger count” claims that fall apart under motion or better resolution. Netanyahu does not have polydactyly (extra fingers) in real life, and there’s no credible evidence this particular video was AI-generated or deepfaked,” Grok replied.
