On June 3, 2026, the Israel Internet Association (ISOC-IL) marked forty years since Israel joined the global Internet with the establishment of the .il country code domain, celebrating the milestone with a landmark conference at the National Library in Jerusalem. The conference brought together many of the pioneers who have built and developed Israel’s Internet alongside leading voices shaping its future. More than a retrospective of technological achievement, the conference told the story of how the Internet has transformed Israeli society over the past four decades, from the country’s earliest digital infrastructure through its impact on the economy, democracy, and everyday life.
CEO of ISOC-IL, Yoram Hacohen, delivers the conference introductory remarks
The program opened with a keynote address by Prof. Amnon Shashua, Founder, President and CEO of Mobileye, who reflected on the transition from the Internet era to the age of artificial intelligence and the profound technological transformations reshaping society.
A special live conversation followed between Dr. Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the Internet and co-founder of the Internet Society, and Prof. Yossi Matias, Vice President of Google and Head of Google Research. Their discussion explored the Internet’s evolution from its earliest vision to today’s AI revolution, examining whether the principles that shaped the Internet continue to influence the future of digital innovation.
Co-founder of the Internet Society, Dr. Vint Cerf, and Vice President of Google, Prof. Yossi Matias address the conference (video)
Additional sessions addressed the Internet’s impact on society, democracy, cybersecurity, and the digital economy. Prof. Karine Nahon, Dean of the School of Communications at Reichman University, joined cybersecurity pioneer Doron Shikmoni and Dr. Hassan Abbasi for a panel on the Internet’s influence on society, the economy, and cyber resilience. Guy Rolnik, founder of TheMarker and lecturer at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, led a discussion on the digital economy and the changing relationship between technology, markets, and public life.
The conference also featured Prof. Renana Keydar of Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law and Center for Digital Humanities, who examined Israel’s pioneering efforts to digitize and preserve cultural heritage decades before the field of digital humanities became formally recognized, including the Jewish library and the Academy of the Hebrew Language’s Historical Dictionary. Building on this historical perspective, representatives of the National Library of Israel showcased the Israeli Internet Archive and discussed the importance of preserving Israel’s digital heritage for future generations.
A major highlight of the evening was the inaugural Israeli Internet Hall of Fame ceremony, recognizing ten pioneers whose vision, innovation, and dedication helped build Israel’s Internet ecosystem during its formative years. Established by the Israel Internet Association (ISOC-IL), the Hall of Fame honors the people whose work, whether building the country’s first Internet infrastructure, establishing key institutions, shaping policy, driving technological innovation, or expanding public access to the Internet, made Israel’s digital future possible. The inaugural class was selected through a public nomination process and an independent expert committee, reflecting the many different ways individuals helped shape the Internet in Israel’s first decade. The Hall of Fame website, which will become available in English in the coming months, documents the inductees’ contributions and preserves their stories for future generations. Watch the full induction ceremony here.
The event concluded with a special performance by acclaimed musician Izhar Ashdot, joined by guest artist Nunu, celebrating the digital transformation of Israeli music and culture.
Bringing together pioneers of the Israeli Internet alongside leaders from academia, industry, government, and civil society, the conference reflected the broad community that has shaped Israel’s digital development over the past forty years. Their participation underscored the shared commitment to preserving the Internet as an open, innovative, and inclusive force for society.
The conference also reflected ISOC-IL’s unique role in Israel’s digital ecosystem. For more than three decades, ISOC-IL has combined responsibility for critical national Internet infrastructure with the promotion of an open and accessible Internet, independent research, public policy, digital literacy, and initiatives that benefit Israeli society as a whole.
The conference was made possible through the collaboration of many partners and contributors. ISOC-IL gratefully acknowledges the support of the Internet Society, whose partnership helped bring this landmark celebration to life, as well as the National Library of Israel for hosting an event worthy of this historic milestone.
Explore more videos, photos, and highlights from the conference here.
