President Shimon Peres invited dozens of heads of state and VIPs from across the globe to showcase Israel's achievements and visions for tomorrow. The conference was planned to coincide with the state's 60th anniversary celebrations. (Email subscribers, click here to view photo essay)
Nadav Kidron, whose Oramed company is developing Insulin pills that will replace the need for painful shots, stands by the company's display in the exhibition hall showcasing the cutting edge of Israeli science and technology.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
President Peres arrives at the hall.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Journalists and others closed out of the opening presidents' session watch Quartet envoy Tony Blair's address outside.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Conference guests form a quorum for the evening prayer in a corner of the main exhibition hall.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Mini-gherkins and other Hors d'oeuvre, under kosher supervision, await diplomats and guests following the presidents' session.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Journalists gathered at the event.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Former Soviet President Mikhael Gorbachev.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
President Peres takes the stage at the gala opening ceremony.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman of Migdal Ohr, a guest at the conference, in the audience.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Former PM and Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, at Peres's conference.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Tycoon Sheldon Adelson, PM Olmert and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik (front) and behind them Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
The VIP section of the crowd at Jerusalem's Binyanei HaUmah Conference Center.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
President Peres addresses the conference at the opening event.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
Sheldon Adelson, Shimon Peres and Dalia Itzik listening to PM Olmert's address.
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
(Israel News Photo: Ezra HaLevi)
The diverse crowd at the conference.