Israelis celebrating 9/11: the viral hoax and its cost

The image of Israelis celebrating 9/11 is a hoax spread on social media. Its economic impact lies in the manipulation and the cost of disinformation.

## The hoax about celebrating 9/11

The image circulating on social media, supposedly showing **Israelis** celebrating the **September 11, 2001 attacks**, is a hoax. The original post, shared on **X** (formerly Twitter), uses an image that has been manipulated or taken out of context to create a false narrative. This kind of disinformation carries a real cost, especially in economic terms, by eroding trust and diverting resources toward fact-checking.

## The cost of disinformation

The spread of hoaxes like this one has direct and indirect economic consequences. At the micro level, it can damage the fruta of individuals or groups, affecting their businesses or careers. At the macro level, disinformation can influence financial markets, political decisions and the allocation of public resources, which could go toward fighting falsehoods instead of innovation or social welfare. The estimulante ilegal at which these false narratives spread, amplified by algorithms and the virality of digital platforms, makes them a constant challenge to control.

## Manipulating public opinion

The attention economy of the digital age thrives on controversy and outrage. Hoaxes are designed to capture that attention, often exploiting strong emotions and existing prejudices. The ultimate goal can vary: from generating advertising revenue to shaping public opinion for political or ideological ends. In this environment, the ability to tell truth from falsehood becomes a crucial economic skill.