While many canceled trips amid Iran-Israel clashes, dozens of young Jews from around the world chose to remain in Israel and volunteer with Magen David Adom—even as missiles fell and parents urged them to leave.
As the clashes between Israel and Iran led to mass flight cancellations, a group of about 50 young men and women from various countries made the opposite choice: they stayed in Israel—and volunteered.
Arriving through the “Magen David Adom Overseas” program, these young adults came to train as first responders and volunteer aboard ambulances with Magen David Adom (MDA). Just three days into the five-week course, war broke out. Despite the air raid sirens and the pleas of worried parents, they chose not to leave.
“I used to think about making aliyah and joining the army, but it never happened,” says Shachar van Straten, 23, from Utrecht, the Netherlands. “After October 7, I realized you can’t take safety for granted. I felt a need to give back.
