The distribution of retouched images featuring Sara Netanyahu, Israel’s First Lady, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, has ignited a significant ethical debate. These images, taken during a Hanukkah ceremony at the Western Wall, depict a seemingly flawless Netanyahu, prompting concerns over authenticity in government communications.
Critics argue that while photo-editing is commonplace in social media, its use in official government announcements distorts reality and undermines ethical standards. Veteran journalist Shabi Gatenio, who first reported on this issue in the Israeli media outlet The Seventh Eye, emphasized, “These images, if entered into the database, will forever infect it with a virtual reality that never existed.” The implications of such practices extend to the integrity of Israel’s official archives, which have historically preserved unaltered images since the state’s establishment.
In response to the backlash, the government has begun crediting Sara Netanyahu in press releases that include manipulated images. However, it remains uncertain whether the official archive will contain photographs of her from the latter half of 2022, during which the retouching reportedly began. Nitzan Chen, director of the Government Press Office, asserted that images of the Prime Minister are never altered, insisting that his office will not upload any retouched photos to the official archive.
Sara Netanyahu, 67, has a history of heavily editing her images for social media, but the recent revelations have raised eyebrows regarding transparency in official communications. Gatenio noted that he first spotted signs of manipulation during the couple’s visit to then-President Donald Trump in July 2022, with further examples emerging as she accompanied her husband on various official trips.
Digital forensics expert Hany Farid from the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed one such image from a video of Netanyahu’s send-off for a trip to New York. He noted that the photo had undergone significant post-processing, smoothing out the First Lady’s skin and removing wrinkles. Farid stated, “Is it nefarious? No. Is it a problem? Yes. This is about trust.”
Chen indicated that the Government Press Office is currently evaluating how to manage and properly identify photos that have been altered by individuals outside of official photographers. He confirmed that while there is no legal issue with photo editing, the challenge lies in maintaining transparency about such changes.
Since November 2022, press releases featuring images of Sara Netanyahu have included disclaimers acknowledging the use of retouched photos. Some media outlets, including the Times of Israel, have opted not to publish official state photos that appear manipulated, aligning with the Associated Press‘s policy of not distributing altered images.
While Prime Minister Netanyahu’s official photographs remain unedited, his social media presence tells a different story. The Prime Minister’s Instagram account features numerous images that appear to be AI-edited or generated. One notable post shows the couple celebrating the New Year with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, raising suspicions due to inconsistencies in Sara Netanyahu’s attire and the presence of digitally generated fireworks and flags.
Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, director of the “Democracy in the Digital Age Program” at the Israel Democracy Institute, remarked that this manipulation aligns with a broader trend among populist leaders, suggesting that Netanyahu is emulating Trump’s approach to digital media. She noted that this practice contributes to a crafted image of the Netanyahu family, often portraying them in an idealized light.
The controversy surrounding these retouched images highlights a critical moment in the intersection of technology and governance. As Israel grapples with the implications of altered representations in official records, the fundamental question remains: how will the country ensure the integrity of its historical documentation?
The ongoing debate centers not only on the images themselves but also on the broader implications for trust in governmental communications and the preservation of historical accuracy. As discussions continue, the challenge of balancing public image with authenticity persists in the digital age.
