A wave of rumors flooded social media yesterday (Monday) evening, amid the blackout imposed by military censorship on the helicopter crash in the south of the country.
Rumors spread on social media and WhatsApp groups about the identity of the deceased.
One of the false messages read: "A very senior figure. An hour and a half ago, a military helicopter crashed in the south of the country. Apparently, it was a very senior figure." Another message stated that the deceased was probably Gadi Eisenkot, and even included the Chief of Staff's biography.
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Following the announcements, even before the details of the incident were allowed to be published, the IDF issued an unusual clarification that there were no senior figures among the injured. "The rumors about a senior figure being injured in the accident are incorrect and unfounded," an IDF spokesman said in a statement to military reporters.
At the same time, messages denying the wave of rumors were spread, among others by elements in the political system, but they were also distributed in a manner that violated censorship rules and contrary to its guidelines.
The office of Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben Dahan issued a statement long before the details of the crash were allowed to be published: "In recent hours, unfounded rumors have been circulating online regarding the incident at the Ramon Air Base. The rumors are about a variety of figures in the military and politics. Spreading rumors is harmful and dangerous, and is an irresponsible act that could harm the security of the state.".
This is a recurring phenomenon in recent years. .
