The annual “People of the State” conference, organized by the Yediot Achronot media group, took place on the occasion of Israel’s 76th Independence Day, which held special significance this year. The conference, which has become a tradition, was held under the theme of new life after the ordeal and as a tribute to the heroes and heroines who protect us. The conference focused on the most important message: all the hostages in Gaza must return home, and the sooner the better.
We opened the conference with a presentation of the front pages of Yediot Achronot and ynet from the past year, accompanied by the song “Get Out of Depression” (“In the Small Hours of the Night”) performed by Yagel Oshri. On the central stage, we hosted participants from all over the country and from diverse walks of life. The conference brought together a diverse array of speakers, including the IDF spokesperson, who engaged in a heartfelt and intimate conversation, as well as Yosef Haddad, Eilon Levy, Emily Shraider, and Noa Kochavi, passionate advocates who tirelessly promote Israel’s image on the world stage. We were moved by Maya Sham who returned from captivity, and Iris Hayim, whose son, Yotam (z”l), was kidnapped to Gaza and killed there, who illuminated the hall with her words. We enjoyed a comic interlude that included a performance by Ben Ben Baruch, we met the wounded who returned from the war, and we shed a tear by a heartwarming performance of “It’s Not So Easy to Be a Child Here” by the Gaza Envelope Children’s Choir and the Sharonit Children’s Choir, a collaboration specially arranged for the conference. The conference included a wide range of panels, discussions and interviews on topics of security, economy, technology (AI), public relations, rehabilitation, education and social action. This year, the conference was held at Expo Tel Aviv, was broadcast live on ynet and was covered by all the media of ynet and Yediot Achronot.