Cyber attack disrupted a live virtual gala hosted by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, making it impossible for most of the 13,000 people around the world who had signed up to see it.
The Sunday afternoon attack on the fundraiser, which was trying to help the orchestra overcome losses due to COVID-19, crashed the websites of the orchestra and its gala partner, Medici.TV.
Shortly after the attack, the orchestra was able to share a replay of the event on their YouTube channel. The entire gala was subsequently posted on YouTube.
Oscar winner Helen Mirren presented a program that included brief performances by the new conductor, Lahav Shani, and his musicians, as well as by friends of the orchestra such as Pinchas Zukerman and Amanda Forsyth, Yefim Bronfman, Itzhak Perlman, Evgeny Kissin, András Schiff, Gil Shaham, Chen Reiss and Martin Frost.
“It seems that hackers were determined to silence our message and destroy our voice, but they will not succeed.Said Danielle Ames Spivak, executive director of American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, who collaborated with the orchestra and the IPO Foundation on the event. “More than ever, we are determined to spread the message of hope, peace and beauty of the Israel Philharmonic throughout the world.”
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the alleged cyber attack.
