In December 2010, the World Jewish Congress, together with several Israeli government ministries, convened a consultation entitled 'Building Partnerships and Synergies in Countering the Assault on Israel's Legitimacy' in Jerusalem. It was attended by over 100 professional Jewish leaders from 60 different organizations. The conference identified the need for a collaborative effort on behalf of world Jewry and the State of Israel to advance the protection of Israel's rights and "halt the political and economic assault" against it. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Minister for Strategic Affairs, Moshe Yaalon, Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman Natan Sharansky, former Canadian Justice Minister and current member of Parliament Irwin Cotler, Italian lawmaker Fiamma Nirenstein and international Jewish leaders participated in the consultation, which led to the establishment of the 'Global Coalition for Israel' and the formation of task forces to implement the conclusions reached.