JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — Attempting to calm a growing online frenzy about the whereabouts of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government released what officials described as a “totally authentic, absolutely undoctored” photograph proving the leader is alive and well.
Israel released the photo after mounting internet conspiracies started claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been missing or even deceased since the recent exchange of strikes with Iran.
“This is Prime Minister Netanyahu, alive and very well,” said an Israeli spokesperson while gesturing nervously toward the image. “If you, um, look closely, you can clearly see, uh, it’s our beloved Netanyahu because he’s wearing a suit and has white hair. Yes, that’s definitely him. Now, don’t ask any more questions.”
The photo appears to show Netanyahu standing at a podium giving a speech, but unfortunately for the government, the man in the image was later identified as conservative podcaster Ben Shapiro wearing a white wig.
After getting caught trying to pawn Shapiro off as Netanyahu, the Israeli government admitted the mistake and subsequently released another photo claiming to show the real Netanyahu, even though the man in the image bore a striking resemblance to Jewish comedian Larry David from Curb Your Enthusiasm.
