Pillar of Defense

MDA in Operation
“Pillar of Defense”
while risking their lives. MDA’s regions in the center and north of Israel also maintained a high level of alert. From Kiryat
Shmona to Eilat, 885 rescue vehicles and 114 motorcycles were operational. MDA’s forces treated roughly 400 casualties,
including five fatalities. For MDA team members living in the south, the task was far more difficult, as they had to leave their
family members alone, go out to the field and save lives during alarms and rocket falls. Therefore, MDA’s management helped
to move the families of MDA employees and volunteers, who live in communities under attack, to a safe place in the town of
Mitzpe Ramon, allowing the employees and volunteers to operate while having “peace of mind”, free of worries about their
family members at home.
The Organization’s professional activities during this operation were highly praised.
In a survey conducted by the Home Front Command, during operation “Pillar of Defense”, concerning public confidence in the
ability of MDA to handle a situation of war and missile attacks, MDA received high grades.
Many Ministers, Members of Knesset and public figures arrived on MDA stations in the South, and praised the organization’s
activity.
While recognizing the importance of publicizing the activities of MDA by the media in Israel and abroad, MDA’s International
Department established an International Information Center at MDA headquarters. The Information Center’s goals were to
collect, prepare and distribute promotional material regarding the activities of Magen David Adom. Such information was
distributed to various agencies around the world so they could contribute to the advocacy efforts of the State of Israel.
The Center was operated by many young individuals who came from various countries around the world: Germany,
Switzerland, USA, Canada, France and South America.
The Organization’s emergency preparedness is not funded by the Israeli Government, and because of the actions to enhance
the emergency preparedness and readiness for the various regions, the organization sustained extremely high expenses.
Friends Societies of Magen David Adom worldwide launched emergency campaigns to raise funds for the operation. They
spared no efforts in delivering to their members the message of International partnership and solidarity with the activity of
“saving lives” which is routine for Magen David Adom in Israel.
MDA, as the national rescue organization, continued to respond to routine calls as well as to emergency calls. The many MDA
forces which were participating in operation “Pillar of Defense”, knew that they were not alone in this battle. Many employees
and volunteers from all over the country came and asked to assist with the activities. MDA’s army reserve unit was also drafted
in order to provide additional assistance. Many delegations from around the world arrived to assist the operational teams in
the field. Among them, paramedic delegations from the U.S.A., Belgium and Canada upon arrival joined MDA’s forces in the
south, engaged in life-saving activities.
MDA’s Blood Services operated around the clock throughout the operation, to maintain the country’s supply of blood and to
provide a full response to the needs of the IDF and all hospitals. Blood donations were collected all over Israel, including in the
bombarded South’s bomb shelters and in military bases.
During the operation, terrorist organizations tirelessly attempted to carry out terrorist attacks, and indeed, upon receiving
of initial report about an attack on a bus, at Shaul HaMelech Street in Tel Aviv, MDA forces in the area, joined the intensive
response. MDA declared a “Mass Casualty Incident” and mobile intensive care units, ambulances, paramedics, and medics
were rushed to the scene. MDA standby personnel and volunteers were called from their homes, and provided care for 17
injured persons, including people with moderate and severe injuries.
Throughout the eight days of operation, MDA was in close contact
with officials from the IDF, the Israel Police Force, Government Offices
and the Defense System, in order to provide the most complete
solution for the home front, and provide the best possible care for all
civilians and MDA members during this crisis.
After the operation ended, MDA teams received many praises from
the high ranking officials in the Israeli government. Prime minister,
Benjamin Netanyahu, referred to MDA activities during the operation
and said: “I wish to thank you on behalf of all the citizens of Israel. I
want to thank the Commander of the firefighting forces and the fire
fighters, and to MDA’s personnel, led by Eli Bin. Handling the home
front looks different, and for that, we give you our blessing.” Minister
of Internal Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, also praised all of MDA’s
forces.
MDA’s Director-General commended also: “MDA forces doing their
duty around the clock, throughout the year, showed that even
during the last week, both employees and volunteers, put all their
efforts in saving lives within the targeted areas, both in the South
and Center. There’s no doubt that for their sacrifice, their dedication
and their amazing abilities, all of MDA’s employees and volunteers
deserve much gratitude.”
Scene of a missile attack
in Ashdod
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