Israeli woman shocked after being listed as ‘dead’ in recent Iran riots

A young Israeli woman named Noya Zion was shocked to discover her photograph being broadcast on Israel’s national television as that of a victim killed in the protests in Iran, illustrating how the Israeli regime spreads fake news about the recent unrest and the Islamic government’s response to it. 

Zion, who has never set foot in Iran, was at home on Monday when she tuned into Israel’s Channel 12 News and saw her image displayed under a headline claiming "Four Jews Killed in Protests in Iran." 

The report falsely identified her as Sanaz Javaherian, an alleged demonstrator whom the channel claimed had been arrested and beaten to death by Iranian security forces. 

"I never thought this would happen to me in my life... I'm in my house!" Zion exclaimed in a video she quickly posted to social media, filming herself alongside the erroneous TV broadcast. "I'm here, I'm alive, sitting at home, and in half an hour I'm going to training. I've never been to Iran in my life." 

The clip highlighted the absurdity of the Israeli fake news about the situation in Iran. 

Her father, taking a more lighthearted approach, shared his thoughts on Facebook. He speculated that the confusion might stem from Zion's resemblance to Israeli actress Niv Sultan, known for her role in the propaganda thriller series Tehran. 

"Maybe she looks like Niv Sultan; maybe Niv Sultan looks like her. Peace to both," he wrote. "In any case, our Noya wasn't in Tehran last week... Never mind the troll on Facebook with hundreds of thousands of followers; there are partners in the trolling. Channel 12, a channel of fools." 

Channel 12 has not yet issued a public correction or statement regarding the broadcast. 

Meanwhile, Zion's story has sparked discussions on platforms like X, where users highlighted it as an example of "Israeli propaganda" gone awry or simply a journalistic blunder. As one post noted, "Israeli propaganda is so efficient it even kills its own settlers on TV." 

Foreign-instigated riots in Iran escalated on January 8 and continued for several days, following peaceful protests in Iranian bazaars and markets where traders called for government action to halt the devaluation of the Iranian rial. 

The violence, encouraged openly by the Israeli regime and US President Donald Trump, resulted in extensive damage to public and private property, with widespread destruction of shops, government institutions, public service facilities, and the deaths of thousands of civilians, including women and children, as well as security forces. 

Iranian authorities have confirmed that American and Israeli spy agencies were directly involved, providing funding, training, and media support to rioters and armed terrorists acting on the streets. 

Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs later reported that 3,117 people died during the riots, including 2,427 civilians and security personnel, noting that many innocents were killed by organized terrorists. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir