Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on Monday wishing Iranians a happy Nowruz, the Persian New Year, even as Israel continues its war against Iran alongside its ally, the United States.In recent years, Netanyahu has repeatedly released video messages addressed to the Iranian people, particularly those opposed to the Islamic Republic’s clerical leadership.Click here for live updates on Middle East war“To the brave people of Iran, I wish you, as I do every year, a happy holiday season, beginning with the Festival of Lights,” the Israeli premier said in the video, speaking in English with Farsi subtitles.He was referring to Chaharshanbe Suri, an ancient Iranian festival of fire and light that will be celebrated on Wednesday.“It signifies the age-old belief of the Iranian people that light will triumph over darkness, that good will triumph over evil,” he stated.Netanyahu added that this year’s holiday carried “special meaning,” an apparent reference to the ongoing conflict during which both the United States and Israel have repeatedly spoken about “freeing” the Iranian people from the country’s clerical leadership.“This year, this holiday has special meaning. I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Nowruz — a year of freedom, a new beginning of hope for all of you,” he remarked.The video also comes amid rumours circulating online about Netanyahu being killed during the conflict, which was triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.Also Read | ‘Fake news’: Israel rejects rumours on Netanyahu’s death after ‘six fingers’ video goes viralSpeculation about his “death” intensified after a recently circulated video appeared to show six fingers on one of his hands, prompting some social media users to claim the footage was AI-generated. His office later confirmed that Netanyahu is in good health. The prime minister himself posted a video of him drinking coffee, mocking the rumours.“They say I’m what??” he quipped.
Israel’s ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, also dismissed the viral claims about Netanyahu’s health, confirming that the prime minister is “very much alive” and that recent footage of him is authentic.Azar emphasized that the video showing Netanyahu at a café is “genuine” and was not generated using AI.Also Read | ‘Will continue pursuing criminal and child-killer Netanyahu’: Iran’s statement after Israel denies death rumours“Prime Minister Netanyahu is alive. I saw him personally when I was in Israel more than once. This video at the café is not AI-fabricated. There is a lot of disinformation,” he said.