A Leader So Unpopular That People Believe Anything About Him
What does it say about a leader when people are willing to believe almost any rumor about them—no matter how wild?
In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has become such a polarizing figure that when an opposition politician claimed his son, Yair Netanyahu, had been “exiled” to the U.S. for physically assaulting his father, many people didn’t even stop to question whether it was true. They just believed it.
This wasn’t because there was solid evidence—there wasn’t. It wasn’t because any credible news outlet had confirmed it—they hadn’t. Yet the rumor spread like wildfire, fueled by Netanyahu’s deep unpopularity and the growing public distrust of his leadership.
But is there any truth behind this shocking claim? Or is it just another weapon in Israel’s political warfare?
This article breaks down where the rumor came from, how Netanyahu’s camp responded, and what the real story behind Yair Netanyahu’s U.S. stay actually is. But most importantly, it examines why so many people were so eager to believe this in the first place.
The Claim: A Shocking Allegation in Israeli Politics
A sensational rumor recently surfaced, alleging that Yair Netanyahu—the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—was exiled to the United States after physically assaulting his father.
The claim originated from Naama Lazimi, an opposition Member of Knesset (MK) from the Labor/Democrats alliance, who publicly stated during a Knesset Finance Committee meeting that Yair had been “sent away” because he “hit his father” (Ynet News).
This explosive statement quickly spread across Israeli political circles and the media, fueling speculation about the nature of Yair Netanyahu’s absence from Israel. But despite the controversy, credible sources and official statements suggest there is no real evidence behind the claim.
Where Did the Rumor Come From?
During a heated Finance Committee meeting in February 2025, MK Naama Lazimi questioned the government’s use of taxpayer money to fund Yair Netanyahu’s extended stay in the U.S. She made the following shocking statement:
“Yair Netanyahu was exiled abroad because he hit his father. Unequivocally, he cannot return to Israel.”
(Ynet News)
Lazimi’s comment stunned fellow lawmakers, drawing chuckles and disbelief, but she provided no concrete evidence to back up the claim.
The reason this rumor gained traction is that Yair Netanyahu has indeed been living abroad—first in Puerto Rico, then Florida—and Israeli taxpayers have been covering his security costs, reportedly at ₪2.5 million shekels (~$680,000) per year (Times of Israel, The New Arab).
Lazimi used these expenses as a launching point for her claim that Yair was “sent away” as punishment for allegedly attacking his father. However, previous reports from reliable sources point to political, not personal, reasons for Yair’s departure.
The Real Story: Why Did Yair Netanyahu Leave Israel?
While opposition figures have framed Yair Netanyahu’s relocation as a forced exile, reports from multiple sources indicate a different explanation:
- March 2023: Yair Netanyahu left Israel for the U.S. amid growing political controversy (Times of Israel).
- He was told to “tone down” his inflammatory social media activity, which was fueling unrest and damaging Israel’s ties with the U.S. (Jerusalem Post).
- His father, Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly banned him from posting political content, leading to tensions within the Netanyahu family (Times of Israel).
- Instead of remaining in Israel, Yair relocated abroad to avoid further public backlash (New Arab).
Yair’s stay in Miami (specifically Hallandale Beach) has been well-documented, and his presence there has sparked debate over the use of state resources to fund his security costs. However, there is no evidence that his relocation was the result of physical violence against his father.
Netanyahu Camp’s Response: Legal Threats & Denials
The Netanyahu family and the Likud Party immediately denied the allegations:
- Likud Party Official Statement: Called the claim “a complete and despicable lie”, accusing the opposition of “sewer politics” (Ynet News).
- Likud Spokesperson: Labeled the rumor “a new low for left-wing muck”, dismissing it as political slander (Times of Israel).
- Yair Netanyahu’s Legal Action: Yair Netanyahu himself filed a defamation lawsuit against MK Lazimi, asserting that her claim was false, defamatory, and harmful to his reputation (Jerusalem Post).
Israeli libel laws require the accuser to provide proof—which so far, Lazimi has not done.
Conclusion: A Rumor That Reveals a Bigger Truth
While there is no evidence that Yair Netanyahu was exiled for attacking his father, the real story isn’t about whether this rumor is true or false.
The real story is that Netanyahu is so deeply unpopular that even an outrageous claim like this spreads like wildfire.
His reputation is so tainted that many Israelis instantly assumed the worst, without waiting for proof. That speaks volumes about the public’s perception of Netanyahu’s rule, his family, and the deep distrust within Israeli society.
At the end of the day, the fact that people believed it so easily is more revealing than the rumor itself.
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