Video shows several discrepancies, signs of digital manipulation; AI detection tools also label it as suspicious
Multiple users on social media platforms X and YouTube were sharing a video since April 29, 2026, claiming it shows Italian PM Giorgia Meloni ignoring her Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, during a United Nations General Assembly session. However, the video is AI-generated.
Italy has taken a cautious and largely non-military stance in the ongoing Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. From the outset, PM Meloni made it clear that Italy would not participate in the war, has maintained its position as a Western ally aligned with Nato and the European Union, and has even begun pulling back personnel from the region. Instead, Rome has emphasised diplomacy, warning that the conflict risks undermining international law and regional stability.
While traditionally a close ally of Israel, Italy recently suspended the renewal of a defence agreement, reflecting growing unease over the escalation. At the same time, Italy has supported efforts to secure global energy routes and protect maritime trade amid disruptions caused by the conflict.
HOW IT STARTED
On April 29, 2026, a pro-Iranian account on the social media platform X shared a video that allegedly shows PM Meloni, donning a Palestinian flag, at a UNGA session, where she ignores Netanyahu, who tries to speak to her.
The caption of the post read: “Brave lady.” It gained 553,700 views.
Another user on X shared the same video in a similar context with the following caption: “It’s a very delicate situation.”
The post gained 507,300 views.
The same video with similar captions was also shared by other users on YouTube and X, as can be seen here, here, and here.
METHODOLOGY
A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest in the matter.
A visual analysis of the video showed several discrepancies, such as the Arabic writing on the right side of the Palestinian scarf worn by PM Meloni, which is nonsensical.
Similarly, while the inscription on the left side of the flag does appear to make up a word/sentence, they are just symbols and rough lines, which are typical characteristics of AI-generated content.
When a forensic analysis of the viral video was conducted through AI detection tools, the results hinted at digital manipulation. Deepware, an AI deepfake detection tool, labelled the video as suspicious.
Hive moderation marked it as 45.9 per cent AI-generated.
Another tool, Truth Scan, identified it as 48pc AI-generated.
Similarly, Sora Detect flagged the video as 40pc AI-generated content.
A keyword search was conducted to corroborate whether any such video or incident was covered by any credible mainstream, international or Italian media outlets, but yielded no results.
Moreover, the most recent session of the UNGA was held in September 2025, which was attended by both Meloni and Netanyahu. However, no such incident was reported to have taken place.
FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE
The claim that a viral video shows Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ignoring Netanyahu is false.
The video is AI-generated.
This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan — a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.
