Contrary to Trolls, Video Shows Israelis Queuing for Portuguese Citizenship

After media outlets reported that thousands of Israelis were lining up to obtain Portuguese citizenship following the Gaza war, Israeli trolls circulated footage to dispute the coverage, falsely claiming that the video shows Israelis queuing outside a cinema in Israel.

Trolls Claim Video Shows Israelis Queuing Outside a Cinema

Israeli hasbara accounts have been refuting a viral video showing thousands of Israelis waiting in line to obtain Portuguese citizenship or to renew their passports. Users have attempted to discredit it by claiming the footage shows people queuing for a screening of “Zootopia 2.”

An X account known for spreading Israeli propaganda shared, “This is the line-up for Zootopia 2,” and published a screenshot from the video showing a Hebrew sign reading “Zootopia 2 purchase tickets here” as purported evidence.

The account alleged that those in the video were waiting to watch the film, which premiered in Israel on November 26.

Another propagandist account, “Eyal Yakoby,” which Misbar’s team regularly monitors for spreading fake news, also shared a screenshot highlighting the same sign. He wrote, “It’s a line to watch Zootopia 2. Why do you lie?”

Another X user responded sarcastically to the footage, posting, “Jews are leaving Israel in droves… to go to Zootopia. Never deleting this app.”

Other Israeli users amplified the same claim, with one replying, “Dude, that’s the line to a movie theatre playing Zootopia.”

Misbar Finds Footage Showing Israelis Lining up for Portuguese Citizenship

Misbar’s investigative team conducted a thorough search and found multiple reports and videos from late November 2025 showing large crowds of Israelis rushing to renew their passports or apply for Portuguese citizenship.

TRT World also shared the same scene on TikTok, noting that thousands of Israelis were lining up to book appointments with the Portuguese Embassy.

Although the footage is genuine, TRT World and other outlets wrongly reported that it was shot outside the Portuguese Embassy.

The Times of Israel reported on November 29 that thousands of Israelis gathered outside Cinema City Glilot in Ramat Hasharon to secure appointments for citizenship applications or to renew their passports.

The queue extended from the entrance of the complex down to its underground parking area after the Portuguese Embassy announced it would allow people to queue in person, without prior scheduling, to obtain appointments for December and January.

Misbar’s team also used Google Maps to locate the cinema where “Zootopia 2” was screened—the site Israeli trolls cited to dismiss the viral footage—and identified the exact place.

The location matched the viral video: the building’s structure, colors, walls, and door posters were identical, confirming that the footage was indeed shot outside Cinema City Glilot in Ramat Hasharon during an event organized by the Portuguese Embassy to schedule citizenship and passport appointments, as per The Times of Israel’s report.

Misbar’s team additionally verified the address of the Portuguese Embassy in Israel and found that it is located at 32 HaArba Street, Southern Tower, 26th Floor, Tel Aviv, Israel 6473925, roughly a 23-minute drive from the cinema, further refuting claims that the footage was taken outside the Embassy itself.

According to The Times of Israel, the Portuguese Embassy announced in October that it would host a special “Old Times Are Back” event, temporarily bypassing its overloaded online appointment system.

In a post on its official Facebook page, the Embassy said the event was “open to all Portuguese citizens.”

Portugal also recently announced that, beginning in May 2026, Portuguese passports will be valid for 10 years instead of five.

Portugal Allows Descendants of Sephardic Jews to Apply for Citizenship

In January 2015, The Guardian reported that Portugal would grant citizenship to the descendants of Jews persecuted and expelled during the 15th century. The legislation allowed Sephardic Jews of Iberian origin to apply for dual nationality.

Israelis began applying in large numbers after Portugal enacted this law, opening a path to citizenship for descendants of Jews.

Although the Portuguese government said in December 2023 that the reparative purpose of the policy had been “fulfilled,” it did not block the route. Instead, it tightened the rules, requiring Sephardic applicants to demonstrate stronger ties to Portugal—for instance, living in the country for at least three years.

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