The conference topic, "Towards a New Law of War" opened with greetings from Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and closed with an address by Israel Minister of Education MK Naftali Bennett.

On the opening day, Israelis MK Tzipi LIvni, MK Yair Lapid, and MK Avi Dichter were among the featured speakers. Former US Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador John R Bolton closed the opening day program, which included discussions on the ICC and Cyber warfare and "following the money trail-finding and freezing terror finance."

Dr Korir Sing'oei, legal adviser to President of Kenya; Dr. Rachel Vanlandingham, former Judge Advocate - Us Air Force; Dr. Eugene Kontorovich, Northwestern University; Dr. Geoffrey Corn, South Texas College of Law; Prof.Avi Bell, San Diego School of Law; Kenneth Watkin, retired Canadian brigadier-General and Irwin Cotler, former Canadian Attorney General; brought international insights to the hundreds attending the conference. 

MP Meir Habib, first observant Jew in French National Assembly, said Europe is not prepared to fight terror. In France, as in Orlando, so many were killed before security forces arrived to scene, "we need to be proactive, not reactive."

One panel,"Has incitement on Facebook become a weapon? Social media as a tool for terror" included Micah Lakin Avni, son of terror victim Richard Lakin z'l who was stabbed on a Jerusalem bus. Avni founded Stop Incitement following his father's murder and was surrounded by audience members wishing to speak to him after the panel. 

Dr. Mordechai Kedar, Arabic scholar and Gal Lusky, Israeli Flying Aid, participated in the closing panel, "Eyes on ISIS and Syria - a legal, humanitarian and military analysis" which was moderated by journalist Dana Weiss. 

The program was in English, the audience of hundreds, mostly Anglo olim, coming from all over Israel to Jerusalem, and also international visitors. 

How to stop the flood of incitement on social media and guard basic rights under present laws was discussed. Pedophilia is not allowed on Facebook. Why is antisemitism and "open source jihad" allowed to flourish? Where and how do we limit free speech?

MK Naftali Bennett closed the conference saying, Israel needs to stress that it is not just security, this "is our home, that simple." Start-up Nation, as a"light unto nations" needs an agency to fight against BDS change the battlefield and to "talk about rights." To win in this new battlefield, we need new "law fare.'

Shurat HaDin has had success with stopping the flotilla and using legal systems against boycotts. The organization which is privately funded, can pursue in ICC and other courts where Israeli government cannot file. 

By response of all participants BJL interviewed, this conference was another success. Audience members were asked to submit written questions. There was not time for most to be answered by the panel participants. Many questions on these important issues still need to be answered.