Pillar of Defense

Special Aid Delegation from New - York
MDA in Operation
“Pillar of Defense”
Imagine a phone call, late at night, asking you to leave your family and friends and travel to a distant country which is under
fire. You’re not soldiers and you are not asked to fight, instead, you are asked to save lives on the front line. Eli Roe and his
colleagues, old friends of MDA International Unit and volunteers in the “New York Rescue” organization, don’t have to imagine
something like that. They are the ones who received those phone calls on Wednesday after midnight, at their homes in New
York.
It’s Raining Rockets and Mortar Shells Here
“A few hours after receiving the call from our friends at MDA, my companions and I were already sitting in the airplane on our
way to Tel Aviv,” said Eli. “I entrusted the Company which I run, in the hands of my Deputy Director, said goodbye to my dear
wife, who had to spend our 19th wedding day all by herself, I kissed my children (aged 8 and 17) goodbye, and went to Israel.
Watching the news, I knew that the situation here would be complicated, but I did not foresee such a rapid deterioration. I
know that many people probably think I went out of my mind, but I did it because I made a commitment to help Israel when
ever I would be asked to, and this is what I did.”
Friends in Times of Trouble
Eli and his companions en route to Israel, are members of the HEART (“Hatzola Emergency Ambulance Response Team”)
organization, which was established during the second intifada. The organization’s primary goal is to offer assistance to MDA
and to connect between the Paramedics Unit of New York and their Israeli counterparts in times of crisis. Eli himself is the
chairperson of the organization, and he has been cooperating with MDA for many years now. Without this cooperation, the
New York organization would not be able to become so organized and to have such a considerable work force.
In the field, at the scene of events, no difference was traceable between the paramedics from New York and their Israeli
counterpart. In the Ambulance, together, the MDA personnel and Eli’s team succeed in saving lives where necessary, and treat
a wide variety of injuries: traumatic injuries as a result of buildings being hit by missiles, penetrating injuries, anxiety and other
injuries. According to Eli, the real heroes of the operation are the MDA personnel, and the many volunteers who provide aid:
“All the heroic members of the medical teams realize that by joint efforts they can do their best where it’s needed the most.”
No. of Missiles fired 75 | No. of ambulances. Dispatched 41 | summary of calls in Ayalon, Lachish and Negev regions 554 | No. of casualties 23
We shall stay here for as long as we are required
With encouragement and support from his family members who were left behind, Eli declares that he and his friends would
not return to the United States as long as the State of Israel would need them. Moreover, other members of the organization,
who stayed in the U.S.A., are ready and waiting for the call to come to Israel at any time, if necessary. He is less pleased with
the alarms experience, but such are the circumstances: “We joined the MDA teams in providing care for dozens of casualties
throughout the day, under constant rocket barrages. We had a good feeling, of partnership, solidarity and of meaningful
endeavor. The teams are professional and courteous and working together with them was fruitful and interesting.”
Eli and his team returned to New York at the end of operation “Pillar of Defense,” Eli - to his postponed celebration of anniversary,
and his companions returned to their normal, daily routine, free of rockets. They will not forget their visit to Israel, but they
say that they would prefer to arrive under other circumstances: “I feel honored to be here, and my commitment to the Jewish
people and to the residents of Israel is immense. If I can help and make a difference, you can be sure that I will come here, but
I hope that the next time we will come, it will be to take a tour and enjoy the country.”
MDA’s Director-General warmly thanked the New York volunteers, and cherished their life-saving activities in Israel. “By your
actions, you have proven that “Jewish solidarity” is much more than merely a phrase. Your enlistment, at your own expense,
without any hesitation, for Magen David Adom in Israel, warms our hearts. We regard you as our brothers and our partners,
and we would be delighted to welcome you at MDA, in times of peace and tranquility.”
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