"A common measure to prevent spying and phone hacking" "All employees and visitors are required to cover their phone cameras"

Images of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, went viral on social media after he was seen covering his mobile phone cameras with adhesive tape, sparking questions about the reason behind this action.

The photos, taken inside the Knesset on Monday, showed Netanyahu seated at the government table holding an iPhone, with tape placed over its cameras. Another widely circulated image showed him covering the phone camera in the same way during a phone call, likely as a precaution against spying or unauthorized recording of conversations.

"A common measure" According to the Hebrew newspaper Maariv, Netanyahu has stated several times that he does not carry a mobile phone constantly, relying instead on multiple phones provided by his aides as needed, which are returned immediately after a call.

Senior officials typically use Apple phones and avoid Chinese devices due to concerns over information leaks. Placing tape on cameras is a common procedure in sensitive military and security facilities, where all employees and visitors are required to cover their phone cameras to ensure they are not used during the visit. Marks left upon removing the tape allow authorities to check for any unauthorized photography attempts.

For Netanyahu, Maariv notes that the purpose is not to prevent photographing in restricted areas, but rather to protect the phone from potential hacking and remote activation of the cameras without the owner’s knowledge.