A video circulating online claims to show the Israeli embassy in Bahrain being set on fire in response to recent events in Israel and the Gaza Strip. But this is not true.
The video, which shows people rushing towards the building and setting it on fire, was widely shared on social media as showing the latest attack on the Israeli embassy in Bahrain.
However, although this video is from Bahrain, it is over 10 years old and does not show the Israeli embassy.
The footage appeared in a compilation video posted on YouTube in 2012 under the title “Bahrain: Police station under siege and fire – Citra” (translated using Google). Sitra Island is an island located in Bahrain. This compilation has the same music overlaid in the background as the social media clips.
The video caption states that these events took place on November 3, 2012, and a United Press International article published on November 5, 2022 states, “Youths fire petrol bombs at Citra Police Station. “I threw it,” he said. Several other attacks on police stations were reported during the same period.
Additionally, a photo of the Citra Police Station on Google Maps shows the same distinctive roof style as the building seen in the video, and fact checkers at Reuters and AFP also confirmed that the police station is visible in the video. It was confirmed. The Israeli embassy is located in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, north of the mainland island of Sitra.
Claims that the video shows the Israeli embassy arriving after an explosion at Al Ahly Arab Hospital in the Gaza Strip on October 17 sparked protests across the Middle East. Witnesses reportedly saw protesters marching toward the Israeli embassy in Bahrain before dispersing, and the embassy was reportedly evacuated.
There remains uncertainty over who was responsible for the explosion, with Hamas immediately blaming Israel, which denies involvement and blames a Palestinian rocket. Rishi Sunak announced on October 23 that British intelligence and analysis had found that the explosion was likely caused by a missile, or part of one, fired at Israel from within the Gaza Strip. did.
This is not the first time Full Fact has seen old videos incorrectly linked to the conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began in October 2023. When important global events occur, misinformation spreads quickly and can be difficult to contain. It’s especially important to consider whether your claim is made before you share. You can read more about this in our guide: The Israel-Gaza conflict: How to fact-check misleading videos.