Snopes debunks viral clip of Netanyahu saying 'America deserved 9/11'
A video of Netanyahu's UN speech was selectively edited; he was quoting a left-wing influencer, not endorsing the statement.
What to know
- A video of Netanyahu's UN speech went viral on social media appearing to show him saying 'America deserved 9/11,' but Snopes confirmed he was quoting a 2019 statement by left-wing influencer Hasan Piker.
- The authentic video clip lacked context showing Netanyahu was criticizing New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, not endorsing the statement himself.
- This is not the first time the quote has been falsely attributed to others; Snopes previously fact-checked similar claims about a Michigan Senate candidate.
The dispute Whether a politician quoting someone else's controversial statement carries the same implications as endorsing it. · positions read across 1 posts and comments
The viral clip is misleading without full context showing Netanyahu was quoting someone else.
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“While the clip was authentic, meaning not generated with artificial intelligence or digitally altered, it omits critical context from Netanyahu's full remarks. He was not expressing his personal belief when he said those words.”
Snopes · Snopes ↗
The clip shows Netanyahu making a controversial statement, regardless of whether it was a quote.
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“BREAKING: Benjamin Netanyahu says that America deserved 9/11 during his speech at the UN General Assembly”
@karma44921039 · X ↗
“You count as friends people like Hasan Piker, who said "America deserved 9/11. America deserved 9/11."”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister · Snopes (quoting UN speech) ↗ · Sep 23
Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister
Zohran Mamdani New York City Mayor
Hasan Piker Left-leaning influencer
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Snopes confirms clip is authentic but lacks context
Fact-checking outlet Snopes examined the viral video and confirmed it was not AI-generated or digitally altered, but determined that the clip omitted critical context. At the 27:10 mark of Netanyahu's full speech, he was quoting Hasan Piker, a left-leaning influencer who said "America deserved 9/11" during a 2019 Twitch livestream, while criticizing Mayor Mamdani.
“While the clip was authentic, meaning not generated with artificial intelligence or digitally altered, it omits critical context from Netanyahu's full remarks. He was not expressing his personal belief when he said those words.”
— Snopes -
first by Snopes, 5d ago
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🔻🇮🇱🇺🇸BREAKING: Benjamin Netanyahu says that America deserved 9/11 during his speech at the UN General Assembly
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Video clip spreads claiming Netanyahu said 'America deserved 9/11' — Following Netanyahu's UN speech, users on X shared a video clip in which Netanyahu appears to say "America deserved 9/11" while shaking his finger. The clip rapidly spread across social media expressing disbelief at the apparent statement.
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Netanyahu speaks at UN General Assembly — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2026.