“I want to extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of the government and the citizens of Israel.”
“MDA is the best emergency service in the world, and it’s because of people like you,” premier said at visit following war with Iran, during which MDA stood at the front lines of emergency response.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today visited the Magen David Adom (MDA) National Headquarters in Ramla. There, he thanked Israel’s national emergency services system and its over 35,000 volunteers and staff following the recent 12 days of war with Iran, during which MDA treated over 1,340 casualties including 28 fatalities.
The visit was also presided over by MDA Global President Gilad Erdan, MDA Director General Eli Bin, Chairman of MDA’s Executive Board Rabbi Avraham Manela, and other senior MDA officials. The Prime Minister undertook a comprehensive tour of MDA’s Marcus National Blood Services Center, its laboratories, and the underground fortified National Blood Bank—the first of its kind in the world—which supplies blood units to hospitals and the IDF.
The Prime Minister also visited MDA’s protected emergency dispatch center and was presented with an overview of the non-governmental organization’s specialized emergency vehicles, including a Mobile Intensive Care Bus, Medicycles, and others designed to reach areas with limited access quickly and efficiently. There, he addressed all MDA staff and volunteers over the radio system, thanking them for their lifesaving work.
“As I saw here the motorcycles, the ambulances, the buses, the laboratories, I am greatly impressed by all that, but first and foremost, I am greatly impressed by you,” remarked Netanyahu. “There’s no such thing anywhere in the world. What you’ve done here, what you’re doing here, is unparalleled in the world. Primarily in terms of the equipment, the technology. But the structure of the activists, the volunteers — that is the people of Israel and the State of Israel at their best. I want to say—MDA is the best emergency service in the world, and it’s because of people like you. I want to express heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the Government of Israel and the citizens of Israel, to the thousands of EMTs and volunteers in Magen David Adom.”
The Prime Minister then proceeded to the Mark D. Lebow Convening Center, where he was briefed on MDA’s operations during the recent Operation Rising Lion in the presence of dozens of MDA personnel. He also met with MDA staff and volunteers who provided medical care to hundreds injured by the missile attacks from Iran, assisted in evacuating patients and premature infants to protected areas, and led blood donation efforts.
Among those he heard from were Erez Geller, Director of MDA’s Carmel Region, who spoke about managing missile impact sites in the North, and Ofir Shaish, Medical Deputy Director of MDA’s Ayalon Region, who described the challenge of treating hundreds of injured people in central Israel.
The Prime Minister also brought to the stage MDA volunteer Dalia Farihat, an EMT who, on her way home from a morning shift, found herself near a missile strike and treated two critically wounded individuals, including a 16-year-old boy with shrapnel in his neck—saving his life. He also honored MDA volunteer responder Daniel Stein, whose home was hit by a missile; after ensuring his family was safe, Stein went out and transported injured people from the scene himself.
“I want to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your important visit to MDA, Israel’s national rescue organization. This is a visit of support, strength, and solidarity with the tens of thousands of our paramedics, EMTs, ambulance drivers, and all MDA personnel,” said MDA Global President, Ambassador Gilad Erdan.
“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your visit today. It is deeply meaningful and provides real encouragement to our EMTs, paramedics, blood collectors, lab technicians, and all members of the organization who work day-and-night with unmatched dedication. During both Operation ‘Iron Swords’ and Operation Rising Lion,’ MDA teams were, as always, the first to respond at the frontlines,” said Eli Bin, director-general of MDA.
“From the very first moment, MDA personnel rushed into danger, under fire, risking their own lives, providing lifesaving care with true courage at tremendous personal cost. Some fell in the line of duty, others were wounded, but all acted with bravery and unwavering devotion to the people of Israel.”
Watch a video of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit:
