French TV Channel Apologizes for Nuclear Attack Simulation on Tel Aviv

French television channel RMC Découverte has issued a public apology and removed a documentary about French weaponry after it included a 3D simulation depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv. The documentary, which aired on September 1, focused on future French weapon systems, including the Rafale F-5 fighter jet and the future ASN4G nuclear missile.

The simulation showed a fighter jet launching a missile towards a coastal city, followed by a mushroom cloud. French researcher Eloise Fayolle identified the city in the simulation as Tel Aviv and alerted the channel. RMC Découverte stated that the segment was sourced from a professional image database where it was mistakenly mislabeled.

The channel immediately removed the documentary from all platforms and suspended further broadcasts. They expressed "sincere apologies" to viewers and indicated they would consider legal action against those responsible for the error. A revised version of the film, without the controversial segment, is expected to be released later.

The incident gained attention when Israel's Ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, shared the clip on X, describing it as a simulation of a French nuclear attack on Tel Aviv, though he suggested there was no malicious intent. Alex Gary, a producer of the film, expressed deep shock, claiming the image database did not specify that the city was real or located in Israel, and that he would not have used the simulation had he known.

Despite the apology and removal, the clip had already circulated on social media and was noted by entities hostile to Israel.