JERUSALEM – Many leading Israeli and overseas speakers attended the annual Herzliya Conference.

Since its inception 10 years ago, the Herzliya Conference has become one of the most important shop windows for explaining Israel’s national policy as well as being a catalyst for public discussion and debate.

One of the reasons for its importance has been the fact that most of Israel’s leaders and policy makers, from all sides of the political spectrum, have used the forum to explain their actions and policies.

This year’s Conference once again allowed many prominent politicians and strategic thinkers from Israel and abroad to explain their ideas in a creative and positive atmosphere.

Apart from presentations by Israel’s President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister, overseas guests included the former Prime Minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar, US Ambassador James Cunningham, Palestinian Prime Minister Dr Salam Fayyad, British MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Dr Liam Fox, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East Dr Colin Kahl.