CLAIM

Viral video of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu showing support for Afghanistan

RATING JUSTIFICATION

The iVerify Pakistan team investigated this content and determined that it is false.

To reach this conclusion, iVerify Pakistan conducted a reverse image search to trace the original source of the video and conducted a forensic analysis to authenticate the clip.

Multiple users, including PML-N supporters, shared a clip of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on social media platform X on February 26, 2026, claiming that he showed support for and announced a special aid package for Afghanistan at the request of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the clip is doctored.

Modi visited Israel on Feb 25 to undertake a two-day visit aimed at deepening trade and defence ties between the two countries.

Netanyahu delivered a speech in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and hailed Modi as “a great friend”. He also discussed future plans for economic growth and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Modi also addressed the Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so.

Even though India has not formally recognised the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, it has maintained functional ties with the country, particularly after announcing to reopen its embassy in Kabul.

HOW IT STARTED

On Feb 26, a pro-military user shared an alleged clip of Netanyahu with the following caption: “Israeli PM Netanyahu, in a joint address with Indian PM Narendra Modi at the Knesset, announced full support for the Afghan Taliban government to combat cross-border terrorism. He stated that Israel and India stand shoulder to shoulder in their support for Afghanistan.”

The post gained 228,650 views.

In the video, Netanyahu can be heard saying, “I understand the plight of Afghanistan is highlighted by my dear friend Prime Minister Modi. Afghanistan is suffering. Afghanistan remains a strategic partner of India, and thus, we consider Haibatullah as a partner of Israel. Afghanistan is doing its best to fight terrorism inside South Asia and requires all the support possible. For this, we should be announcing a special aid package for Afghanistan on the request of honourable Prime Minister Modi.”

The video, along with a similar caption, was also shared by other propaganda accounts as well, as can be seen here and here, gaining over 22,000 views.

Saad Kaiser, a prominent PML-N supporter and a member of the party’s social media team, also shared the same clip with the following caption: “The Afghan Taliban, supported by PTI supporters on social media, are now also being supported by Israel’s Netanyahu, along with India. This shows that PTI, India, Israel, and Afghanistan share the same mission, which is against Pakistan. Shame.”

The post accumulated 48,548 views.

The post was also shared by Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari on her X account, gaining over 15,600 views.

Multiple PML-N supporters also shared a similar claim on X, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here, and here; collectively gaining 63,000 views.

METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public interest in Modi’s visit to Israel.

A keyword search was conducted to corroborate whether any credible Indian, Israeli, Afghan or international media outlets had reported such alleged remarks of Netanyahu, but yielded no results.

An analysis of the video using AI-detection tools raised signs of possible manipulation. Deepfake Total flagged the clip’s audio as 30 per cent likely to be AI-generated.

Another tool, video.attestiv labelled the clip as AI-generated content with a 39pc suspicion rate, while TruthScan flagged it with a 35pc likelihood of being AI-generated content.

A close examination by iVerify Pakistan also highlighted several prominent audio-visual inconsistencies in the clip, such as the tone of Netanyahu’s voice, which was deeper and lower-pitched than the actual tone of his voice. Moreover, his lip movements in the video are too fast for natural human timing, for example, from the nine-second mark to the 15-second mark.

A reverse image search yielded the original full speech delivered by Netanyahu on February 25, 2026, which was uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Indian news outlet Republic World with the title: “Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Knesset Speech: ‘Iron Alliance Against Extremist Islam’ | Full Address”.

In the complete speech, Netanyahu spoke about the India-Israeli ties and recalled Modi’s first visit to Israel in 2017.

He also appreciated India’s rise, referenced the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and described the bilateral relationship between the two countries as strategic, cooperative, and personal. At no point did he make any remarks regarding Afghanistan during the address.

Netanyahu’s speech was also covered by several international and Indian news outlets, such as Middle East Eye, ANI News, Malaysia Sun and Times of India; none of which reported any such comments made by him.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim that a viral video shows Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu showing support for Afghanistan is false.

The video is doctored and has been dubbed over through AI.

EVIDENCE AND REFERENCES:

Feb 25, 2026, Republic World YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da0QObJ7RAk

Feb 25, 2026, Middle Easy Eye news article:
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/modi-flatters-netanyahu-assures-support-israel-landmark-knesset-address

Feb 25, 2026, ANI News news article:
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/middle-east/a-great-leader-on-world-stagenever-been-more-moved-than-by-your-visit-here-netanyahu-hails-pm-modi-in-knesset-remarks20260225211716/?amp=1

Feb 25, 2026, Malaysia Sun news article:
https://www.malaysiasun.com/news/278888483/a-great-leader-on-world-stagenever-been-more-moved-than-by-your-visit-here-netanyahu-hails-pm-modi-in-knesset-remarks

Feb 25, 2026, Times of India news article:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/modi-hug-known-around-the-world-netanyahu-hails-brother-pm-calls-india-gigantic-power/articleshow/128787154.cms