The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been compelled to issue a formal denial following a bizarre and unfounded conspiracy theory propagated by a leading American right-wing commentator.
The controversy erupted when Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, used his significant online platform to amplify baseless rumours. Kirk suggested, without a shred of evidence, that a video existed showing Netanyahu being involved in a killing.
Digital Firestorm and Official Denial
The outlandish claim quickly ignited a firestorm across social media platforms, with the hashtag #NetanyahuVideo trending as users speculated wildly. In response, a spokesperson from the Prime Minister's office delivered a blunt rebuttal to The Independent, stating the rumours were "absolutely false and without any foundation".
The spokesperson emphasised the severe nature of the allegation, labelling it a "malicious and completely fabricated lie." They further clarified that no such video exists or has ever existed.
Analysing the Source and the Motive
Kirk, a staunch ally of former US President Donald Trump, presented no evidence to support his dangerous insinuation. Media analysts suggest the move may be an attempt to distance certain factions of the American right from their traditionally strong support for Israel and its leader.
This incident highlights the increasing potency of online misinformation, where baseless claims from influential figures can rapidly achieve global reach, forcing governments to engage with and deny even the most ludicrous of allegations.
