Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog paid a visit to the national headquarters of Magen David Adom (MDA) in Ramla, where they received a comprehensive briefing on the organization’s operations and met with frontline responders.
MDA Director-General Eli Bin walked the presidential couple through the organization’s activities during Operation Roaring Lion, highlighting the around-the-clock work carried out by MDA’s 39,000 employees and volunteers, many of whom operate under active fire. Bin stressed that MDA remains fully prepared across a wide range of scenarios, with no immediate shortages in supplies.
Among those the President and First Lady met was Nissim Salem, a paramedic from Beit Shemesh, where an Iranian missile struck a synagogue earlier this week. Salem was one of the first responders on the scene, initially taking charge of the incident and treating the injured. He shared that his parents and relatives live near the impact site, and while he was helping others, he wasn’t sure if his own family was safe. Only after additional MDA teams arrived was he able to briefly step away, go to their home, and confirm they had not been hurt.
During the visit, President Herzog addressed MDA volunteers directly over the dispatch radio. “Thank you for saving lives, for working 24/7, for your vigilance, dedication, and professionalism,” he said. “Wishing you success. And hopefully we will not need your services.”
The couple then moved through MDA’s new Simulation and Training Center, exploring its advanced training facilities. President Herzog tried an augmented reality simulator designed for managing patients at complex emergency scenes, as well as a simulator that replicates driving a Mobile Intensive Care Unit. He came away impressed. “The training center makes you want to become an MDA paramedic,” he said at the end of the experience.
President Herzog noted that the couple had come directly from a condolence call to the Bitton family, who lost three of their children in the Beit Shemesh attack.
“We are on the highest level of alert; the system is fully deployed,” he said. “It is important that the people of Israel come and donate blood so that we are prepared for every scenario. We have achievements, and there will be more, in order to bring change to the Middle East. Thank you to MDA Director-General Eli Bin, to MDA’s teams, and to all emergency forces working in the field.”
First Lady Herzog reflected on the broader moment facing the country. “These are complex days in which we see the people of Israel at their very best,” she said. ” Supporting one another is especially important at this time. I am deeply impressed with the resilience and support demonstrated by Israel’s citizens. I wish for all of us that we will soon know better days.”
Director-General Bin closed the visit with gratitude for the couple’s continued support. “This is not your first visit,” he noted. “I thank the President and First Lady for coming to support the thousands of MDA paramedics, EMTs, and blood services personnel who are working day and night to care for the citizens of Israel during these challenging days. The moment a siren sounds, our teams put on their protective gear and then head out to treat and save lives.”
