---
title: "The video of Benjamin Netanyahu giving a speech on national television is generated by artificial intelligence"
claim_id: "bTeb5MD0sGN5N8o3ycdU"
validity: 5
model: accounts/fireworks/models/kimi-k2p5
---

# Claim: The video of Benjamin Netanyahu giving a speech on national television is generated by artificial intelligence

Verdict: 5%
Model: Kimi K2.5
Checked on: 07/04/2026

## Verdict explanation

Based on my research, I can provide an analysis of this claim:

**Reasoning:**

- In March 2026, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public about military operations against Iran, rumors circulated on social media claiming the video was AI-generated[^3][^1][^4].

- The main "evidence" cited by conspiracy theorists was that Netanyahu appeared to have six fingers on his right hand - a common artifact in early AI-generated images[^1][^4][^2][^3].

- However, this claim was thoroughly **debunked** by multiple fact-checkers:
  
  - PolitiFact rated the six-finger claim as "false," explaining that "a trick of light likely made part of his palm appear to be an extra digit"[^4]
  - AFP's analysis using the Hive Moderation AI detection tool found certainty of AI generation ranged only from 0.1 to 8%, indicating the video was authentic[^3]
  - Higher-quality versions of the video clearly showed Netanyahu had only five fingers[^3]

- To dispel the rumors, Netanyahu posted additional "proof of life" videos, including one from a coffee shop where he explicitly held up his hands showing five fingers and joked about being "dying for coffee"[^2][^1]

- He also posted a video with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who confirmed Netanyahu was alive and well[^2]

- The situation demonstrates the phenomenon experts call the "liar's dividend" - where authentic videos are dismissed as AI fakes due to increased public skepticism in the AI era[^5]

- Social media posts promoting these AI claims often had connections to Iran and spread false rumors that Netanyahu was dead or hiding[^6][^1]

**Overall validity: 5%**

[^3]:
    [Posts falsely claim Netanyahu video fabricated to cover up his death](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/posts-falsely-claim-netanyahu-video-023135548.html)

[^1]:
    [Netanyahu Posts 'Proof of Life' Video as A.I. Sows Doubts About ...](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/technology/netanyahu-ai-video-iran-israel.html)

[^4]:
    [No, Netanyahu didn't have six fingers during his press conference](https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2026/mar/13/social-media/netanyahu-dead-video-artificial-intelligence/)

[^2]:
    [Netanyahu attempting to dispel death rumors fueled by AI paranoia](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/netanyahu-death-rumors-ai-debunked-rcna263987)

[^5]:
    [What's real anymore? AI warps truth of Middle East war](https://uk.news.yahoo.com/whats-real-anymore-ai-warps-030059285.html)

[^6]:
    [Rumors of deepfakes abound following viral footage of Israeli Prime ...](https://egyptindependent.com/rumors-of-deepfakes-abound-following-viral-footage-of-israeli-prime-ministers-latest-appearance/)

## Sources using this claim (1)

- [🚨BREAKING: is BENJAMIN NETENYAHU DEAD❓🇮🇱 Rumours suggesting he has died are gaining tract…](/source/x:BROKENBRITAIN0:2032346329687400538) — Unknown — 14 views