POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: AI-Generated Video Claims Italy’s PM Meloni Wore Palestinian Flag at UN Event with Netanyahu
The Claim A viral video circulated online during the United Nations’ annual meeting in New York in September 2026, allegedly showing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wearing a Palestinian...
The Claim
A viral video circulated online during the United Nations’ annual meeting in New York in September 2026, allegedly showing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wearing a Palestinian flag at an event involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The clip was shared widely on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), with one user captioning it as breaking news and stating that Meloni had publicly criticized Netanyahu for ‘killing innocent children.’ The video depicted Meloni walking around with what appeared to be a Palestinian flag draped around her neck, suggesting a symbolic or political stance against Israel.
The footage quickly gained traction, sparking public debate and speculation about Meloni’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some users interpreted the image as evidence of a rift between the two leaders, while others questioned the authenticity of the clip. The video was archived on multiple platforms, including TikTok and X, and was later cited by various outlets as a potential example of political controversy. However, the claim was soon scrutinized for its accuracy and origin.
The Details & Investigation
Snopes conducted an initial investigation into the video in May 2026, prior to the 2026 U.N. meeting, and determined that the clip was an AI-generated deepfake. The video originated from a TikTok account that had created several similar fake videos depicting political figures in fabricated scenarios. Notably, some of these videos were labeled as AI-generated content, but the label was missing from versions that spread more widely on other platforms, including X.
One of the key indicators that the video was fake was the incorrect rendering of the Palestinian flag at the eight-second mark. According to verified sources, the flag’s design did not match the official emblem of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This detail, along with the lack of credible photographic evidence of Meloni and Netanyahu attending the same U.N. event in 2026, strongly suggested the clip was fabricated. Getty Images, a reputable photo agency, confirmed that there is no record of Meloni and Netanyahu being present at the same U.N. gathering in 2026. Their last known meeting took place in March 2023 in Rome.
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Further context reveals that the TikTok account responsible for the video may have been attempting to create provocative content that could be used to fuel political narratives. In August 2025, Meloni had criticized the Israeli military’s response to the 2023 Hamas attacks, calling it ‘beyond the principle of proportionality.’ In April 2026, she announced that Italy would not renew its defense agreement with Israel, citing ‘the current situation’ without further explanation. These statements indicate a complex relationship between Italy and Israel, but they do not support the claim that Meloni was seen wearing a Palestinian flag at a U.N. event with Netanyahu.
Additionally, Meloni herself addressed the issue of AI-generated content in May 2026, when she posted on X that she was the subject of several deepfakes, including one that appeared to show her in underwear. She warned that deepfakes are dangerous tools capable of deception and manipulation, emphasizing their threat to public discourse. The Alan Turing Institute defines deepfakes as AI-generated content designed to deceive or entertain, often by altering existing material or creating it from scratch. Given this context, the video in question fits the profile of a deliberate disinformation effort rather than an accidental error.
The Verdict
The viral video claiming that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wore a Palestinian flag at a United Nations event with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been conclusively identified as a deepfake. Multiple lines of evidence, including the incorrect depiction of the Palestinian flag, the absence of any verified records of Meloni and Netanyahu attending the same U.N. event in 2026, and the involvement of a TikTok account known for generating AI-generated content, confirm that the clip was deliberately fabricated.
This case represents a clear instance of disinformation, as the video was likely created with the intent to mislead the public and manipulate perceptions of political relationships. While Meloni has expressed critical views of Israel’s actions in the region, there is no factual basis for the claim that she was seen wearing a Palestinian flag at the U.N. with Netanyahu. Therefore, the claim is rated as FALSE, based on verified evidence and authoritative investigations.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
