Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Sheked was the opening speaker on Sunday afternoon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the gala opening evening event. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat spoke at breakfast to start a very full Monday schedule.

Many of the sessions and panels are based on security and terrorism issues. Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey moderated a session on "Threats and Prospects in Iran Post JCPOA. 

Following the session on Iran was, "The Middle East Volcano, Its Implications and the Dangers Outside the Region." Knesset Member Dr. Anat Berko, a criminology researcher and author of "The Path to Paradise," shared a power point presentation with her research on the use of women and children as Jihadist and suicide bombers. Also speaking were Dr Michael Doran, Prof Eyal Zisser, and Avi Issacharoff, with Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief Steve Linde serving as moderator.

The session during lunch was on Antisemitism and BDS and responses to it. Moderated by Col. Pnina Sharvit Baruch, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, the first speaker was Brig, Gen,(res) Michael Herzog, followed by Ido Daniel, National Program Director of ISCA, the Israeli Students Combating Antisemitism presented.  Brig. Gen (res) Yossi Kuperwaser, of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, said "complacency of Jews and supporters" is partially to blame. By not taking stand against vocal anti-Israel groups, it has allowed doubts to take over those who are not committed and do not know. Akiva Tor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Europe is feeling a real threat of antisemitism and there is a fear of far-right political parties gaining power. Tor stressed the need for a formal definition of antisemitism as a prerequisite to regulation. Incitement in Arabic on social media should no longer be tolerated.  Gerald M. Ostrov concluded the session with his initiative to rebrand, rethink Israel.  Ostov wants groups to come together and work, not in "hasbara" but kesher, to share Israel is much more than conflict. 

Minister of Defense Moshe Yaalon was featured speaker in the afternoon. Yair Lapid being interviewed by Reuters's Luke Baker followed. The evening dinner program was held at the Israeli Knesset Building. To close the mission, on Thursday the delegation will be received by President Reuven Rivlin at Beit Hanasi.

Included in the photo essay, featuring speakers, dignitaries and delegates, from Marlyand are William Daroff, Mark Hetfield, HIAS, and Mark Levin, NCSEJ