From Amal Nazareth to Israel’s Front Line in Cyberspace

Ahmad Bato’s journey from Amal Nazareth Vocational High School to the front line of Israel’s cyber defense is a powerful example of how education can shape a safer, more inclusive future for the country. As a student in Amal’s communications and cyber track, Ahmad discovered not only a talent for technology but also a deep sense of responsibility to use that knowledge for the public good. His story, which was published recently on Ynet is one that connects classrooms in Nazareth to the nerve centers of Israel’s digital security, and it embodies Amal’s belief that every young person, Jewish or Arab, can become a key contributor to the nation’s resilience. ​

Today, Ahmad is widely regarded as one of Israel’s leading civilian experts in the fight against digital crime and cyberterrorism. As founder and head of Cyber One, he leads a 60-person operational “war room” that functions as a last line of defense when traditional systems fail. In one dramatic case, his team was called in when a major Israeli technology company, classified as part of Israel’s national infrastructure, was struck by a sophisticated attack that seized critical customer and infrastructure data. Within about 40 minutes, Ahmad’s team identified the exact point of entry, traced the attacker to a hostile foreign country, neutralized the intrusion, and restored the sensitive information before any leak occurred. A senior cyber official later described the operation as preventing a “national event.” ​

But Ahmad’s impact goes far beyond individual incidents. Under his leadership, Cyber One has developed breakthrough technologies that protect both major organizations and ordinary citizens: Oi, an AI-powered assistant that sets a new standard for early threat detection, and NOY, an app that allows people to be “seen but unseen” online, blocking tracking and digital surveillance that have become part of daily life. His team has also pioneered the rare ability to erase extortion materials directly from their source on the dark web and within closed Telegram and Instagram groups, offering a level of protection usually reserved for state intelligence agencies and restoring dignity and safety to families, teenagers, and business owners targeted by online blackmail. With millions of followers and recognition as a public figure and partner in global technology initiatives, Ahmad uses his platform to send a simple moral message: no one should be left alone in the digital darkness.​

For Amal Educational Network, Ahmad is not only a success story; he is a living expression of our mission and values. As an Arab Israeli graduate of an Amal school, his leadership in protecting Israel’s critical infrastructure and vulnerable citizens illustrates how shared society is built in practice, through opportunity, excellence, and mutual responsibility. His achievements show donors and friends around the world what it means to rebuild Israel’s future through education: to equip students from all backgrounds with cutting-edge skills, to nurture their sense of purpose, and to watch them grow into the engineers, founders, and public leaders who keep Israel both safe and democratic. Amal is proud of Ahmad, and of the many graduates like him who prove every day that diversity is one of Israel’s greatest strengths! ​