Plano Antisemitism Forum Disrupted by Zoom Hack

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A meeting in Plano, Texas meant to address concerns about antisemitism was disrupted when someone hacked into the virtual portion of the event and intentionally sabotaged it. During a presentation, a video of a man shouting anti-Israeli rhetoric appeared on the screen, and the words "Free Palestine" were written across the screen, prompting organizers to shut down the Zoom call out of fear. The organization is now compiling evidence to file a police report, viewing the incident as a clear attempt to derail the conversation and a hate crime.

Why it matters

This disruption highlights the ongoing challenges that organizers face in combating antisemitism, especially as virtual events have become more common during the pandemic. The intentional nature of the sabotage and the hostile content displayed underscore the need for greater civility, accountability, and protection against hate-fueled attacks, even in online spaces.

The details

The gathering, held inside a Plano synagogue, began as a discussion about antisemitism on college campuses but quickly turned chaotic. During a presentation, a video of a man shouting anti-Israeli rhetoric appeared on the screen, and the words "Free Palestine" were written across the screen, prompting organizers to shut down the Zoom call out of fear. The organization said the disruption was clearly intentional and designed to derail the conversation.

• The meeting took place on the evening of January 30, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The organization said it is compiling all the photos and evidence from the disruption and is in the process of filing a police report to have the incident investigated as a hate crime.