A suspected cyberattack occurred during the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s (IPO) virtual gala on June 28.
According to a press release from the IPO, the suspected attack caused the IPO’s website to shut down, as well as the website for Medici.TV, who the IPO was partnering with for the gala. The suspected attack prevented the more than 13,000 participants from watching the gala, but the IPO was able to upload the entire gala to YouTube for people to watch.
“It seems that hackers were determined to silence our message and stamp out our voice, but they will not succeed,” Danielle Ames Spivak, executive director of American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, said in a statement “More than ever, we are determined to spread the Israel Philharmonic’s message of hope, peace, and beauty around the world.”
The gala included performances from musicians such as Itzhak Perlman, Martin Fröst, and Evgeny Kissin; it was hosted by British actress Dame Helen Mirren.
“We were thrilled that so many had registered to join us for this event, giving us the opportunity to bring the healing power of music to people who need it at this difficult time,” Tali Gottlieb, executive director of the IPO Foundation, said in a statement. “Our organization had high hopes that this event would help us raise emergency funds to support the members of the Israel Philharmonic in the face of an unprecedented financial crisis.”
The IPO is encouraging people to watch the concert on YouTube. Meanwhile, an investigation has started to find out who was behind the cyberattack.
This is a developing story.
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