Anti-Israel message displayed on digital billboard in Moncton after 'malicious hack'

A digital billboard is seen in Moncton, N.B., on Oct. 16, 2024. The billboard was hacked and an anti-Israel message was displayed. (Derek Haggett/CTV Atlantic)

A profane anti-Israel message on a digital billboard in Moncton, N.B., has been turned off, but the question of how it got there in the first place remains.

On Wednesday, a sign reading “F--- Israel” was seen on a billboard on Elmwood Drive, a busy street next to ReCar, a used car dealership.

ReCar staff told CTV News they notified a local representative of the outdoor sign company Pattison and the digital billboard was shut off just before 8 p.m. Wednesday.

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Representatives from Pattison declined a request for an interview, but Mary Ventresca, the vice-president of Pattison Outdoor Advertising, did make a statement calling the message “a malicious hack” with offensive language.

“This act was committed by an outside source and the message was unauthorized,” said Ventresca. “It was removed within moments of our operational team being aware and determining the method of the hack.”

Ventresca said the message affected one board out of 6,000 digital displays across Canada.

“Given this reprehensible act, we are taking immediate steps to ensure the security of our outdoor advertising, and will be implementing any necessary security enhancements,” said Ventresca. 

“Those with knowledge about these criminal acts are encouraged to contact local police.”

Tiferes Israel Synagogue President Francis Weil said he received messages from upset members of Moncton’s Jewish community Wednesday night.

“First, I was shocked to see this, and then I told myself, ‘This can’t be.’ I could see the name of the company Pattison and I said, I’m sure Pattison would never allow such a sign,” said Weil. “I was surprised.”

Weil said he brought it to the attention of the Codiac Regional RCMP and the City of Moncton.

CTV News has reached out to the RCMP and the city for comment.

More to come…

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