Israel On Alert For Annual Cyberattack by ‘Anonymous’

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Israel’s security agencies are bracing for potential cyberattacks on Thursday.
Agence France Press that the country is on high alert in anticipation of attacks by the international hacker group Anonymous, which targets Israel each year on April 7 as a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinians.
Since 2013, the group has targeted Israel each year, managing in some years to block government websites, including the ministries of defense and foreign affairs, along with sites of numerous Israeli companies, according to AFP.
“We are prepared for all forms of aggression,” an official from the Shin Bet domestic security agency told AFP. “Israel is well-protected.”
In addition to shutting down websites, Anonymous has stolen data from some and hijacked others to show its own photos and videos.
Dozens of experts from government and private businesses will gather Thursday in Tel Aviv to watch for potential hacking attacks.
According to AFP, there are 430 Israeli companies in the cybersecurity sector, responsible for 8 percent of the global market share.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
