Israel Hayom's "Tomorrow's Conference" kicked off this Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at the International Convention Center in Ashkelon. The conference will focus on addressing challenges that emerged following the events of October 7 and the Iron Swords War, such as restoring a sense of security to residents of attacked communities, rehabilitating abandoned areas, strengthening the healthcare system, and providing solutions for children and youth who found themselves without organized educational frameworks.
President Isaac Herzog was the keynote speaker in the morning, telling the gatherers, "We will not be able to invest our resources in construction, rehabilitation, and renewal – as long as our efforts and energies are focused on internal strife. Listening, respect, and dialogue are the essential basis for the joint building that we now need like air to breathe, after the terrible rift." Dr. Miriam Adelson, who is Israel Hayom's publisher, delivered a speech at the plenary session and told the audience that Israelis will prevail together over the challenges posed by the war in Gaza. "All of Israel is Israel Hayom – the Israel of post-Oct. 7," Adelson said, stressing that "we are a nation of revival" that knows how to spring right back up after moments of crisis.
Omer Lehmanovich, Editor-in-Chief of Israel Hayom, Addresses Tomorrow's Conference as well.
"This year, we naturally decided to hold the conference in Ashkelon in order to place the Gaza border communities at the center. It's not just a slogan but a way of life. Israel Hayom sees itself as a media outlet that wraps around Israel day by day – in a digital way, a print newspaper, and most recently also in radio news stations in Israel. We seek to bring voices to the center stage that struggle to find their way there, and we insist on being a unifying and reconciling Israeli bridge and living space, especially – and above all – in difficult times" he said in his opening remarks at the start of the event, before going on to share his thoughts on a video compilation showing how the paper's reporters responded to the unfolding crisis on Oct. 7 early in the morning.
"In the opening video, you met just a few of the voices from our team – who since October 7 and throughout the months of war have been committed day and night to bring the entire Israeli story to the public: The tales of heroism and courage of our fighters on the battlefield; the story of the 133 captives until they all return to us as quickly as possible; and the cry of those displaced from their homes. We are here to shine a spotlight and call for rectification; to remind of the atrocities and the justness of our war against our enemies, and to push for revival, a healthy society, and responsible leadership.
"This is the 'Tomorrow's Conference' – because our future begins tomorrow, and in the spirit of Passover, we must strive for the good of tomorrow even from today's distress. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes: 'The Israelites had not yet emerged into the blinding light of freedom, they were still slaves. But Moses was already lifting their eyes to the distant horizon of the future, making them responsible for handing on the story to future generations. As if he was saying to them: If you forget where you came from, you will one day think you are just another nation among the nations. If you forget the story of freedom, you will one day lose freedom itself.'"
Among the participants will be Ministers Benny Gantz, Yoav Kish and Bezalel Smotrich, and various members of Knesset. Also participating will be IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Gen. Daniel Hagari.
