Undeserved Cruelty
Social Media Erupts Over Sara Netanyahu’s ‘Retouched’ UN Photos
Sara Netanyhau has done absolutely nothing to deserve being called vicious names. If she's a bit vain, who actually cares? 2025 just disappoints more and more.
Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, found herself at the center of a social media firestorm after attending the UN General Assembly on Friday, September 26, 2025, alongside her son Yair. Photos she posted from the event, captioned with pride over her husband’s speech, “My heart swelled with pride. He stood firm, spoke our truth, and fought for our justice,” have drawn accusations of heavy retouching, reigniting criticism of her public image and sparking vitriolic attacks from detractors, including a prominent Israeli musician.
The controversy erupted when Sara shared images on Instagram showing her and Yair at the UN, where Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech defending Israel’s actions in Gaza and addressing hostages still held by Hamas. The photos, meant to highlight her support, instead prompted claims of digital alteration to enhance her appearance. Social media erupted with harsh comments, some mocking her age (68) and others questioning her mental state. One user sneered, “Is this her or the son’s new girlfriend?” Another wrote, “No Photoshop can hide the inner ugliness and evil.”
Among the critics was Ephraim Shamir, a former member of the iconic Israeli band Kaveret, recently investigated for alleged incitement to violence and terrorism. Shamir took to Facebook with a scathing jab: “Sara, you’re still an old, ugly woman.” The remark, echoing past controversies over Sara’s public persona, fueled further online vitriol, with ugly comments attacking her physical appearance and mental health.
This isn’t the first time Sara Netanyahu has faced accusations of photo manipulation. Similar claims surfaced during previous high-profile appearances, often tied to broader criticism of her involvement in her husband’s political life. The timing of this uproar, coinciding with Netanyahu’s UN speech, where he listed names of hostages and broadcast a message via loudspeakers in Gaza, vowing, “We haven’t forgotten you... we will bring you all home, living and dead,” has amplified the controversy.
Supporters view the attacks as sexist and unfair, arguing that her personal appearance is irrelevant to her husband’s leadership. As of Sunday, Sara has not publicly responded to the allegations or Shamir’s remarks, but the online storm shows no signs of abating, with X posts amplifying both the mockery and defenses of her dignity.