FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show Netanyahu Fleeing To Nuclear Bunker?
A video circulating on social media claims to show Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fleeing to a nuclear bunker amid recent attacks.
One of the most memorable scenes from Israel – Netanyahu flees to the bunker! pic.twitter.com/uAlcIwi87T
— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily) October 1, 2024
Verdict: False
The video does not show Netanyahu running to shelter in a nuclear bunker. It predates the attacks and actually shows the Prime Minister running to the Knesset to vote.
Fact Check:
On Oct. 1, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel. The New York Times reported that 180 missiles were fired at the Jewish nation, triggered by accusations that the Israeli military conducted numerous assassinations, as noted by ABC News.
Following Tuesday’s attack, a clip of Netanyahu resurfaced on social media. It shows the prime minister running through a building and includes the caption: “One of the most memorable scenes from Israel – Netanyahu flees to the bunker!” Another post sharing the same video described it as “leaked” footage and claimed it took place on “day 2 of WW3.”
The posts are framing the clip as the prime minister’s response to the recent attacks against his country. However, the video is almost three years old and has nothing to do with the current conflict in Israel and the Middle East. The footage was first posted online by Netanyahu himself, back on Dec. 13, 2021.
אני תמיד גאה לרוץ בשבילכם. 🇮🇱💪🏻
צולם לפני חצי שעה בכנסת pic.twitter.com/Tk386NOKU5
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 13, 2021
The prime minister’s caption on the original post reads: “I am always proud to run for you. It was taken half an hour ago in the Knesset.” Netanyahu was reportedly hurrying to the nation’s parliament to vote on a law. He was not on his way to a bomb shelter. At the time of the vote, the clip was also published by the Jewish site Hidabroot, which confirmed that the prime minister was on his way to cast a vote.
Reuters noted that Netanyahu was attending a security meeting within a bunker in Jerusalem when the Iranian missile strike was launched. The outlet also received confirmation from his office that the video circulating online “is old” and “from the Knesset where he’s rushing to vote.” (RELATED: FACT CHECK: Video Of Netanyahu Being Compared To James Bond Predates Recent Lebanon Attack)
The missile strike from Iran threatened to escalate the ongoing war in the Middle East but caused limited damage as Israel and its allies, including the United States, intercepted most of the missiles, according to Israeli defense officials. Netanyahu has already promised that Israel will retaliate against Iran following the attack.
