Is Netanyahu Alive? Israel PM's New Video Features This Surprising Detail Suggesting Use of AI

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a live press conference to address circulating claims that he had died, opening his remarks by stating 'I am alive' and telling the assembled reporters they were all witnesses to that fact. The appearance came amid a weeks-long cycle of social media speculation, deepfake allegations, and death rumours that has intensified during the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, and which Netanyahu and his team have repeatedly attempted to put to rest.

The controversy escalated after AI chatbot Grok flagged an earlier video of Netanyahu at a coffee shop as a possible deepfake, describing it as 'AI-generated' based on what it identified as an unnatural lip sync and a static coffee level in the frame. That assessment circulated widely online and, rather than settling the matter, intensified scrutiny of subsequent footage released by Netanyahu's office.

'Sleevegate' and the Deepfake Debate

In his latest video, critics pointed to a moment in which the sleeves of Netanyahu's coat appeared to change between shots — his left hand resting on the podium showing only his coat, then revealing his inner garment seconds later without any visible movement. The observation gained traction online under the informal label 'Sleevegate', with users presenting it as evidence that the footage had been artificially generated.

'AI video, look at his sleeves,' one person wrote. 'LOL. You can see his sleeve just regenerate unnaturally. They included speech mistakes to throw people off. Bibi doesn't make these mistakes when he speaks. Fake,' another said. Others were more sceptical of the sceptics. 'Well, first of all, that's not how sleeves work,' one user replied.

The pattern has become familiar over several weeks of similar episodes. Each piece of footage Netanyahu releases prompts a new round of analysis, with users identifying anomalies, and each new denial feeding further speculation rather than resolving it.

What Netanyahu Said About the War

Beyond the proof-of-life framing, Netanyahu used the press conference to provide an update on Operation Roaring Lion, the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran conducted in partnership with the United States. He outlined three objectives: removing Iran's nuclear threat, dismantling its ballistic missile capabilities, and creating conditions for the Iranian people to determine their own future.

He also addressed claims that Israel had pushed the United States into the conflict. 'President Trump always makes his decisions on what he thinks is good for America. And may I add, I think what is also good for future generations. In this case, those interests are absolutely clear and so is the clarity of our achievements,' Netanyahu said. He expressed continued support for Trump's leadership and said both countries were 'acting together with great determination and unprecedented strength.'

Does the Controversy Have an Answer?

There is no verified independent evidence that Netanyahu is deceased, and the Israeli government has consistently and publicly denied the claims. The live press conference format, open to foreign press, represents a meaningful escalation in the effort to demonstrate his presence. It is considerably harder to fabricate than a pre-recorded video. Whether that will satisfy those already committed to the conspiracy narrative is a separate question.

As one analyst noted, Netanyahu now finds himself in a loop where each piece of evidence he produces is met with more scrutiny rather than less, with AI tools themselves becoming both the source of the allegations and the lens through which every new appearance is evaluated. In that environment, proof of life has become a moving target.