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Netanyahu’s Phone Number Invite Crashes WhatsApp Line

8/26/2026

45 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted his phone number and invited Israelis to call him.
The line was flooded, blocking WhatsApp and giving callers a busy signal.
Critics argued the stunt aimed to harvest voters’ phone numbers.
In August 2022, his number received 9,420 calls in 30 minutes, while a poll showed Likud at 21 seats.
Netanyahu said he could not answer everyone but would reply to as many messages as possible.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted his phone number and invited Israelis to call him.
The line was flooded, blocking WhatsApp and giving callers a busy signal.
Critics argued the stunt aimed to harvest voters’ phone numbers.
In August 2022, his number received 9,420 calls in 30 minutes, while a poll showed Likud at 21 seats.
Netanyahu said he could not answer everyone but would reply to as many messages as possible.