---
title: "Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to have 6 fingers in the national television speech"
claim_id: "tKvdjJozBvOuekjS3p3J"
validity: 0
model: accounts/fireworks/models/kimi-k2p5
---

# Claim: Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to have 6 fingers in the national television speech

Verdict: 0%
Model: Kimi K2.5
Checked on: 07/04/2026

## Verdict explanation

Based on the fact-checking investigation, here is the assessment of the claim that "Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to have 6 fingers in the national television speech":

**Analysis:**

- The claim refers to a viral rumor that spread in March 2026 following a Netanyahu press conference on March 12, 2026, where users claimed to see six fingers on his hand[^1][^2]
- Multiple reputable fact-checkers including Snopes, PolitiFact, Poynter, and Lead Stories examined the original high-quality video from Israel's Government Press Office and confirmed Netanyahu has **only five fingers on each hand**[^2][^1][^3]
- The apparent "sixth finger" was a visual illusion caused by:
  - A shadow on the side of his palm that momentarily resembled a finger[^2][^1]
  - The natural bulge at the base of the little finger (the hypothenar eminence) being mistaken for an extra digit[^2][^1]
  - Compression/blur in low-quality video copies shared on social media making the palm appear as an extra digit[^5][^4]
- The video was **not AI-generated** – it was an authentic broadcast published by the Israeli Government Press Office where Netanyahu interacted live with reporters[^1]
- Netanyahu's office dismissed the rumors, confirming "The prime minister is fine" and labeling the death claims as "fake news"[^4]

**Overall validity**: 0%

[^1]:
    [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]:
    [Video doesn't show Netanyahu with 6 fingers per hand, isn't AI](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/netanyahu-6-fingers-ai/)

[^3]:
    [No, Benjamin Netanyahu didn't have six fingers in a viral press ...](https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2026/benjamin-netanyahu-six-fingers-dead/)

[^5]:
    [Fact or Fiction: Video shows Netanyahu with six fingers?](https://www.10news.com/news/fact-or-fiction/fact-or-fiction-video-shows-netanyahu-with-six-fingers)

[^4]:
    [Fact Check: Netanyahu Six-Fingers Video Claim Behind Death ...](https://www.newsweek.com/benjamin-netanyahu-alive-latest-update-israel-six-finger-video-11679702)

## 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