POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Does video show Netanyahu saying ‘America deserved 9/11’ in UN speech?
The Claim A viral claim circulated on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), alleging that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during his September 24, 2026, speech...
The Claim
A viral claim circulated on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), alleging that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during his September 24, 2026, speech at the United Nations General Assembly that ‘America deserved 9/11.’ The claim gained traction after users shared a video clip of Netanyahu seemingly making the statement, which appeared to be authentic and unaltered. The clip showed Netanyahu shaking his finger while delivering a pointed remark, leading some to believe he was expressing personal opinion rather than quoting another individual.
The specific phrase ‘America deserved 9/11’ was attributed to Netanyahu by several users who expressed shock and disbelief. The video clip, which was later identified as part of a longer speech, was widely shared across online communities, raising concerns about potential misinformation or disinformation. The claim sparked public debate over the accuracy of Netanyahu’s remarks and whether the quote reflected his own views or those of someone else.
The Details & Investigation
Upon examination of the full video of Netanyahu’s speech, it became clear that the controversial statement was not his own. Instead, Netanyahu was quoting Hasan Piker, a left-leaning influencer known for provocative commentary. The quote in question—’America deserved 9/11’—was taken from a live-streamed appearance Piker made on Twitch in August 2019, where he said, ‘America deserved 9/11, dude,’ followed by an expletive. This statement was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of inflammatory rhetoric that Piker has been associated with over the years.
During his UNGA speech, Netanyahu was addressing New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom he accused of antisemitism. In this context, Netanyahu referenced Piker’s past remarks as evidence of the mayor’s alleged alignment with individuals who have made anti-Israel statements. Specifically, Netanyahu cited Piker’s 2019 comment to underscore his point about the influence of certain figures in New York City. The full video of Netanyahu’s speech, available through the United Nations General Assembly archives, confirms that he was not expressing his own belief but was instead quoting Piker in response to Mamdani’s policies.
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The viral clip that circulated online was taken from a specific moment in the speech, at approximately the 27:10 mark. At this point, Netanyahu was not speaking directly about 9/11 but was using Piker’s words to illustrate his argument about the political climate in New York. The omission of this context in the shortened clip led to widespread misunderstanding. Additionally, the claim that Netanyahu made the statement himself was further complicated by the fact that he had previously been falsely attributed similar remarks in the past, though no evidence supported such claims.
Snopes, the source of the original investigation, concluded that the claim was not entirely false but lacked sufficient context to be fully accurate. While the quote itself was real, it was not Netanyahu’s own words. This raises the question of whether the viral post constituted misinformation—unintentionally misleading due to omitted context—or disinformation, if the intent was to deceive. Given that the clip was authentic and the quote was accurately sourced, the primary issue appears to be a lack of contextual clarity rather than deliberate fabrication.
The Verdict
The viral claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ‘America deserved 9/11’ during his UN speech is misleading. While the statement was indeed quoted by Netanyahu, it was not his own words but a reference to a prior comment made by Hasan Piker. The clip that circulated online was authentic and unaltered, but it omitted critical context that clarified Netanyahu’s intent. As a result, the claim is not entirely false, but it is misleading due to the lack of context provided in the viral version.
Given the circumstances, the claim should be classified as MISLEADING. The original statement by Piker was inflammatory and controversial, but Netanyahu was not endorsing it. The failure to present the full context of his speech contributed to public confusion and the spread of misinformation. However, there is no evidence of deliberate disinformation or coordinated manipulation in the creation or sharing of the clip. The primary issue lies in the selective presentation of content rather than intentional deception.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
