Israel’s National Broadcaster Accuses Hamas Of Hacking Eurovision Webcast

Netta Barzilai, Eurovision champion Image by Getty Images

By Marcy Oster May 16, 2019

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s webcast of the first Eurovision Song Contest semifinal was hacked for several minutes with images of bombs exploding in Tel Aviv set to ominous music.

The Kan national broadcaster, which is hosting Eurovision in Tel Aviv through Saturday, blamed the terror group Hamas for the hack, according to reports. It did not affect the regular television broadcast of the international contest.

The second semifinal will take place on Thursday evening.

Hamas did not comment on the accusation.

Earlier this month Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza fired 700 rockets at Israel, saying they hoped it would disrupt Eurovision.

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