Is Benjamin Netanyahu Alive? Israel PM Misses Security Cabinet Meeting for the 14th Time in a Row

A frantic energy usually defines the corridors of power in Jerusalem, yet a heavy silence now hangs over the Prime Minister's chair. For the fourteenth consecutive time, Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly failed to appear at a scheduled security cabinet meeting, leaving an empty seat that has become a symbol of mounting unease at home and abroad.

While official channels insist that the government continues to function normally, and maintain that Netanyahu is alive amid rumours claiming otherwise, his alleged prolonged absence has reignited questions over his wellbeing. International Business Times could not independently verify the claim that Netanyahu has been continuously missing cabinet meetings, so one should take the report with a grain of salt.

Netanyahu Misses Another Cabinet Meeting

The mystery about Netanyahu's wellbeing intensified this week when social media users began tracking the Prime Minister's attendance record with increasing scrutiny. A widely shared post by Ethan Levins on X noted that the Prime Minister has now been absent for a scheduled security cabinet meeting for the '14th [time] in a row.'

'If he's alive, he's hiding underground like a rat,' Levins added.

This streak of absences would be unprecedented in the history of the modern state, particularly during a period of active military engagement. The lack of a clear explanation from the Prime Minister's Office has allowed the public imagination to fill the void with increasingly dark theories, many of which suggest his health has deteriorated beyond the point of public disclosure.

Some were convinced that he was already dead after Iran attacked his office in Jerusalemin retaliation for Israel's and the US's strike on Tehran on 28 February.

The security cabinet is responsible for making the most sensitive decisions regarding the nation's defence and foreign policy. Thus, critics view Netanyahu's absence as a significant threat to national stability.

Jerusalem Attack Sparks Unverified Death Claims

The speculation about Netanyahu's death reached a fever pitch following recent military escalations involving regional adversaries. After Iran launched a retaliatory strike targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, unconfirmed reports began circulating that the Prime Minister had been caught in the crossfire.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fuelled the rumours when it announced that Israel was leaderless following a precision strike. But Netanyahu's spokesperson swiftly denied the claim, saying he was unharmed and operational from a secure location.

Iran lost its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the US and Israel attacked Tehran. Also, the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been missing in action, prompting some to question if he is also alive. According to reports, he was injured, but he survived.

After Iran lost its former Supreme Leader, Ali, the Islamic Republic going after Netanyahu is not a shock.

Netanyahu's Questionable Proof of Life

In an attempt to quell the rising tide of uncertainty, the Prime Minister's Office released a video that was intended to serve as undeniable proof of life. However, the footage had the opposite effect, as digital forensic experts and eagle-eyed viewers quickly pointed out several anomalies.

Reports from NDTV highlighted a specific moment where the Prime Minister's ring appeared to vanish and then reappear during a hand gesture. This prompted a fresh debate regarding whether the video was a product of artificial intelligence rather than a genuine recording of the leader.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Mike Huckabee recently shared a photo of his recent meeting with Netanyahu and said the Israel's PM 'sure looked alive and was in great spirits.'

While some analysts believe these are unverified reports born of paranoia, others insist that the technological glitches suggest a coordinated effort to mask the Prime Minister's true condition. The question of whether Benjamin Netanyahu is alive and well remains one of the most pressing political mysteries in the Middle East.