From claims of 'six fingers' to a coffee cup that never empties and a wedding ring that appears to vanish, the Israeli prime minister's appearances have turned into a real-time case study in how quickly trust in video can unravel.
Every time a new video featuring Benjamin Netanyahu appears on social media, a new wave of doubts and questions like 'is it AI?' appears along with it.
The 'Six Fingers' Moment
The controversy began in mid-March, when Netanyahu appeared in an official press conference updating Israel on the war.
Within hours, screenshots circulated online claiming his hand showed six fingers. The clip spread rapidly, fuelling speculation that the video had been manipulated or generated using AI.
Fact-checkers moved quickly. Analyses of the original footage confirmed there were only five fingers, with the illusion caused by lighting, camera angle, and the natural shape of the palm.
Both Snopes and PolitiFact debunked the claim, calling it a visual misinterpretation rather than evidence of manipulation.
But by then, the narrative had already taken hold.
The 'Bottomless Coffee' Clip Goes Viral
Days later, Netanyahu's team released a more casual video, showing him sitting at a café, joking about rumours that he was dead.
Holding up his hands, he appeared to reference the earlier claims directly before taking several sips from a cup of coffee.
That clip triggered a second wave of scrutiny.
Viewers pointed out that the coffee level appeared unchanged despite multiple sips, describing it as 'bottomless' and unnatural. Some also questioned background details, including a date displayed on a nearby screen and how the coffee was not 'spilling.'
The 'Vanishing Ring' and Frame-by-Frame Analysis
Follow-up videos only added to the speculation.
In later clips, including meetings and outdoor appearances, viewers claimed Netanyahu's wedding ring appeared and disappeared between shots. The footage was picked apart frame by frame, with users highlighting inconsistencies and presenting them as proof of digital manipulation.
State-linked outlets and online commentators amplified these claims, framing them as evidence that the videos were not real.
At this point, each new appearance was no longer taken at face value. Instead, it became material for forensic-style analysis across social media.
How the Rumours Escalated
What began as isolated observations quickly evolved into a broader conspiracy theory.
Some online narratives claimed Netanyahu had been killed or seriously injured and that the government was using AI-generated videos to maintain stability during wartime. Meanwhile, a part of the narrative also suggested the clips were deliberately flawed as part of a larger information strategy.
These claims gained traction not because of confirmed evidence, but because each new 'glitch' seemed to reinforce the last.
Even as major news outlets and officials confirmed Netanyahu is alive, the scepticism did not fade. It adapted.
Experts Push Back, But Doubt Persists
Verification efforts have consistently found no credible evidence that the official videos are deepfakes.
Outlets like The New York Times and NBC News have described the rumours as widely debunked, while noting how quickly they continue to spread.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues to appear in official videos. There is no verified evidence supporting the idea that these videos are AI-generated. Yet the conversation has now moved beyond verification itself.
