Hackers take over Israeli news broadcast: 'Allah is great'

The hacker appeared to be from Saudi Arabia, allegedly hacked the satellites due to the "muezzin bill," which has struck anger in many Muslim communities both inside Israel and abroad.

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA

NOVEMBER 29, 2016 22:33

Updated: NOVEMBER 30, 2016 14:17

Cyber hackers [illustrative] (photo credit: REUTERS) — Cyber hackers [illustrative]

(photo credit: REUTERS)

Hackers took over the Channel 2 broadcast Tuesday night, streaming through out northern Israel messages of incitement relating to Israel's recent fires.

Overplayed with the sounds of a Muslim call to prayer, the shirt hacked footage flashed various messages written in Hebrew in reference to divine retribution. "Punishment from God," read the text of one message with others reading: "The fire burned hearts" and "To for big great God [is] war from God (the fire burns you)."

The hackers, who appeared to be from Saudi Arabia, allegedly took over the satellites due to the "muezzin bill," which has angered many in Muslim communities both inside Israel and abroad.

האקרים השתלטו על שידורי מהדורת חדשות 2, ובמקום - שידרו קריאת מואזין pic.twitter.com/lCmDajZXh4
— חדשות 2 (@Channel2News) November 29, 2016

Channel 2 responded to the hacking stating: "Residents in northern Israel viewing Channel 2 via satellite TV reported that during the evening broadcast someone took over central control of the broadcast and played the voice of the muezzin."

According to the news channel, a preliminary investigation found that the hackers took control of the satellite broadcasting in mostly Arab communities.