Images of Israeli First Lady Sara Netanyahu have ignited a significant ethical debate after it was revealed that official photos released by the government were heavily retouched. The controversy centers on images featuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and Israeli soldiers lighting Hanukkah candles at the Western Wall, a site of immense spiritual significance for Jews worldwide. Critics argue that the manipulation of these images distorts reality and undermines the integrity of government archiving practices.
The photos, initially intended for Israel’s state archives, depict a polished version of reality, with Sara Netanyahu appearing with flawless skin and perfect hair, raising concerns among journalists and ethics experts alike. Veteran political journalist Shabi Gatenio, who first reported on the issue through The Seventh Eye, emphasized that authentic historical records have always captured reality as it was. He warned that incorporating manipulated images into official archives would create a “virtual reality that never existed.”
In response to the backlash, the Israeli government has adopted an unprecedented policy of crediting Sara Netanyahu in press releases that include altered images. The extent of the retouching appears to have increased since mid-2023, as noted by Gatenio, who first observed the changes during a visit to Washington, D.C., in July. A subsequent analysis by digital forensics expert Hany Farid confirmed that images released by the prime minister’s office had undergone significant processing to enhance the First Lady’s appearance.
The Government Press Office has stated that images of the prime minister are never altered. Director Nitzan Chen noted that while touching up images is not illegal, transparency about such changes is crucial. His office is currently assessing how to handle and label photos that have been processed by individuals outside the government’s official photographers.
Since November 2023, press releases featuring retouched images of Sara Netanyahu have included a disclaimer acknowledging the alterations. However, the Times of Israel announced it would no longer publish manipulated state photos, and the Associated Press maintains a strict policy against publishing retouched images.
While the prime minister’s official image remains unaltered, his social media presence has raised eyebrows. The official Instagram account has shared various posts that appear to involve AI-generated modifications, including a controversial image of the couple celebrating New Year’s with then-President Donald Trump. This particular photo featured Sara Netanyahu in a striking black dress, which differed from her attire in other images from the same event.
Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, head of the “Democracy in the Digital Age Program” at the Israel Democracy Institute, remarked that the use of AI-generated imagery is indicative of a broader trend among populist leaders, citing Netanyahu’s attempts to cultivate a superhero-like persona. She underscored the gravity of the archiving issue at hand, stating, “The question of archiving the truth, archiving history, will be one of the questions of our time.”
As this debate continues to unfold, the implications for public trust in governmental communications are becoming increasingly clear. The focus now shifts to how Israel will navigate the delicate balance between personal image management and the integrity of its historical records.