Following weeks of tension, the United States and Israel attacked Iran in the last week of February, sparking conflict both in the region and online.
Since then, rumors have spread on major social media platforms, with some viral claims focusing on the whereabouts of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 76, and alleging he had fled Israel with family members living a life of luxury abroad.
Did Netanyahu flee to Germany?
Claim: Pictures taken at Berlin airport purportedly show the official Israeli government airplane “Wing of Zion” standing on the runway. A TikTok user claimed, based on the images and flight data, that Netanyahu had “officially fled to Germany.” The video generated over two million views.
DW Fact check: Misleading
Flight data and media reports confirm the Israeli government plane did land in Berlin on the evening of Saturday, February 28, but Netanyahu was not on board. An unnamed German government official told Reuters that the plane landed in Germany for safety reasons, carrying only crew members, and the flight had been registered in advance by the Israeli government. The plane has reportedly made similar trips during previous escalations of conflict.
While the plane was in Berlin, Netanyahu reportedly had appointments in Israel, including a meeting with senior IDF and Mossad commanders in Tel Aviv on March 1 and a well-documented visit to the site of an Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, a suburb of Jerusalem, on March 2.
The author of the TikTok video later added a correction clarifying that Netanyahu was not on the plane. However, the video had already gone viral, generating millions of views and being repeated by multiple users on TikTok and X.
Is Netanyahu’s son in Miami?
Claim: A post with almost 6 million views on X claims that while Americans and Israelis are losing their lives, Netanyahu’s son is living a life of luxury in Miami, residing in a luxury apartment with $680,000 per year in state-funded personal security.
Photos of Yair Netanyahu by a pool and on a balcony are used to support these claims.
DW Fact check: Misleading
A Reverse Image Search revealed that the images of Yair Netanyahu by the pool have been in circulation for at least two years. Yair Netanyahu himself posted a selfie from Jerusalem on his X account, stating, “I’m in Israel right now — not at the beach in Miami.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Benjamin Netanyahu flee Israel?
No, reports indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu was in Israel during the time the Israeli government plane landed in Berlin. The plane landed in Berlin for safety reasons with only crew members on board.
Was Netanyahu’s son in Miami?
No, images circulating online claiming to show Yair Netanyahu in Miami are over two years old. Yair Netanyahu posted a selfie from Jerusalem on X, stating he was in Israel.
What prompted the Israeli government plane to land in Berlin?
According to an unnamed German government official, the plane landed in Berlin for safety reasons, and the flight had been registered in advance by the Israeli government.
As the conflict continues, how might the spread of misinformation impact public understanding and potential diplomatic efforts?
