Israel’s president praises MDA’s wartime work on Ramla visit

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog visited Magen David Adom’s national headquarters in Ramla on Wednesday, receiving a situation briefing on the emergency service’s role in Operation Roaring Lion and its wider readiness.

MDA Director-General Eli Bin outlined the organisation’s around-the-clock response by some 39,000 staff and volunteers, stressing that the service is equipped for multiple scenarios and currently faces no supply shortages.

The couple met paramedic Nissim Salem from Beit Shemesh, who was among the first on the scene after an Iranian missile hit a synagogue and nearby shelter in his old neighbourhood earlier this week. Salem, who was initially in charge of the incident and treated the wounded, said he was simultaneously worried about his parents and relatives living close to the impact site and only managed to check on them once additional MDA teams arrived and he could briefly reach their home.

Touring MDA’s National Dispatch Centre, Herzog spoke to volunteers over the radio, thanking them “for saving lives, for working 24/7, for your vigilance, dedication and professionalism,” and adding: “Wishing you success – and hopefully we will not need your services. Through you, I want to wish all the people of Israel a happy Purim!”

The President and First Lady also visited MDA’s new Simulation and Training Centre, where Herzog tried an augmented-reality system for treating patients at complex emergency scenes and a simulator for driving a Mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulance. “This school makes you want to become an MDA paramedic,” he remarked afterwards.

“We are on the highest level of alert; the system is fully deployed,” Herzog said during the visit. He noted that they had come to the dispatch centre after paying a condolence call to the Bitton family, who lost three children in the Beit Shemesh attack, and urged the public to donate blood “so that we are prepared for every scenario.” He added: “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 operating in the field… Through you, I want to wish all the people of Israel a happy Purim.”

First Lady Michal Herzog said: “These are complex days in which we see the people of Israel at their very best. Mutual assistance is especially important at this time. I am deeply impressed by the resilience and support demonstrated by Israel’s citizens. I wish for all of us that we will soon know better days.”

Eli Bin thanked the couple for their ongoing support, saying: “This is not your first visit. 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. MDA’s volunteers and employees are prepared for every scene and every scenario. The moment a siren sounds, our teams don their protective gear and then head out to the scenes to treat and save lives.”