MDA 19th conference - March 14, 2010

Greetings to the Delegates

Address of Matan Vilnai - MK - Deputy Defense Minister to the delegates at MDA Conference 14.3.10

Congratulations to the people of Magen David Adom in Israel; (henceforth "MDA" - First Aid Organization for the 19 Conference opening. I congratulate MDA for its activities for the past 80 years.

The nature of wars in our region has changed, the civilian population is a target and within range of injury.  History repeats its path, as happened during The War of Independence and Sinai Operation in 1956, where civilian population along the cities of Israel were hit by shelling and bombing, we have been experiencing these anew within the last few years and this is the expected threat in the future.  For this purpose the alignment of the defense and the preparation of the civilian population is going through a significant transformation process.

The main objective is the preparedness and immunization of Israel through its emergency organizations and the different systems within the country to be responsive and function in a national emergency situation.

MDA as a national emergency organization has a most important role in the preparedness for that emergency hour and in giving a professional response in a national emergency hour.

MDA is the most efficient organization out of all the emergency organizations in Israel.  MDA and its people have proved themselves in past years with their response to terror attacks, During the Second Lebanon War and during the years whereby the communities in the Western part of the Negev were being attacked and during Cast Lead operation.

The human assets and the sophisticated systems make the difference.  Israel relies on MDA, and I hope that other emergency organizations within the country will learn from the abilities of MDA and will reach its level of operations.  The test is the immunization and abilities of the civilian front in Israel.  MDA employees are soldiers in the civilian front of the country.

The threats on the Israel and its civilian citizens is very severe, the MDA organization will have to prove once more its abilities, without a doubt with great success, due to its volunteers and dedicated professional employees, that take an active part in the training of the Home Front Command, Israel Defense Force, the authorities and the different emergency organizations.

Israel is prepared to the future threats as ever before.

Israel puts its assurance in MDA and its capabilities.

Professor Yehuda Skornick - President, MDA

I congratulate the participants of MDA's 19th Conference. I wish for a productive conference and the continuation of volunteer work.   MDA commemorates this year 80 years of blessed professional activity.

The conference is being held at Ashkelon College, the city and its citizens symbolize, together with the communities of the Western part of the Negev, the ability to withstand and the immunization of the citizens of Israel for many years while facing missile and terror attacks.

MDA volunteers and employees, from all parts of the country and from all stations and branches, are closely familiar with Ashkelon and the communities in the Western part of the Negev.  A geographic region whereby they worked together with their friends citizens of the region, days and nights, in great devotion, for the safety and health of the citizens and IDF soldiers.

Mr. Eli Bin - MDA Director General

The brain of the employees and volunteers of MDA lies deep within their heart.  Operating and throbbing heart that grants tirelessly for the past 80 years of the organization's existence, an organization operating for fellow-man, its health and safety.

I wish that the coming years will be years of progress, development and doing, years of service improvement to civilians, continuation of professionalization, while working hard and eaching achievements.

The achievements are due to the volunteering spirit and action of many volunteers, which donate their time, energies and personal abilities.  The volunteer activity every day and every hour, in all regions of the country, saves MDA numerous amounts.  MDA does not have the right of existence without its volunteers and their devoted and blessed activities.

Alongside the many MDA volunteers are the employees, dedicated to their mission and work alongside the volunteers, together with MDA headquarters, all are recruited to sustain the successful activities of the organization.

I congratulate the delegates of the conference, let there be prosperous and fruitful deliberations and planning for the next four years, until the 20th Conference, years of productivity, development and achievements.