Original article (in Croatian) was published on 23/6/2025; Author: Ivica Kristović
The same video – unrelated to the recent Israel-Iran conflict – first circulated on social media and in the media as early as May 2023.
Crows are well-known for their intelligence, but some social media users have recently attributed them with political motives as well. On June 22, 2025, a Croatian Facebook user posted a reel (archived here) claiming to show a crow removing an Israeli flag in Croatia. The video caption falsely claimed:
“A bird takes down a flag from a pole in Croatia.”
However, this footage was not filmed in Croatia, and it also did not originate during the latest escalation between Israel and Iran. The clip has been circulating for over two years, and appeared in foreign media and social networks as early as April and May 2023.
Old Video, New Context
The video’s recent resurgence appears to be triggered by renewed conflict. Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated over the weekend, with the United States joining the conflict by striking targets in Iran. In that context, the crow video began to resurface, not only in Croatia but across international platforms.
For instance, NDTV World published an article on June 20, 2025 (archived here) featuring the same video. The article stated that the video had gone viral on social media, often accompanied by interpretations labeling it as a “sign from God” amid the worsening conflict. Still, the outlet acknowledged that it could not verify the video’s authenticity.
Interestingly, embedded within NDTV’s article is a social media post from late April 2023, proving that the footage was circulating long before the current escalation.
Footage First Gained Attention in 2023
The video initially went viral in the spring of 2023, particularly on Arabic-language platforms. On May 2, 2023, Middle East Eye published an article (archived here) titled:
“‘Anarchist’ Crow That Tore Down Israeli Flag Goes Viral.”
The outlet reported that the video was filmed in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. In the background, settlers can be heard yelling at the crow to leave the flag alone, even calling it an “anarchist.” One man expresses shock after the bird successfully removes the flag.
At the time, viewers searched for symbolic meanings and cited biblical verses to interpret the crow’s act – each offering their own perspective on the bird’s surprising behavior.
In conclusion, contrary to the Facebook user’s claim, the video was not filmed in Croatia, nor is it connected to the latest Israel-Iran conflict. The footage is at least two years old, most likely recorded in the West Bank in 2023. Its recent spread is fueled by misleading context and renewed geopolitical tensions.
