96 years of saving lives: Magen David Adom celebrates their 96th birthday

06.07.2026 12:27

Since its founding in June 1930, Magen David Adom has grown from a small local organization serving Tel Aviv into Israel's National Emergency Medical Service. Today, MDA provides emergency medical care, operates the National Blood Bank & Blood Services Center and the National Human Milk Bank, delivers humanitarian assistance to all residents of Israel, and, on many occasions, extends aid to communities around the world.

In the second week of June, Magen David Adom marked its 96th anniversary with a moving and celebratory ceremony held at MDA Headquarters in Ramla.

The event was dedicated to "The People Behind the Stories of Lives Saved"—the patients whose lives were rescued, the MDA teams who treated them, and everyone involved in the chain of survival: emergency dispatchers, ambulance and Mobile Intensive Care Unit crews, emergency responders, and the professionals of MDA's Blood Services, from the National Blood Bank to the countless blood donation stations established across the country every day.

The Story of Magen David Adom

In early June 1930, a group of physicians led by Dr. Meshulam Livontin gathered in Tel Aviv with a shared vision: to establish the country's first organization dedicated to providing rapid medical assistance to the residents of the city and its surrounding communities.

Shortly thereafter, Magen David Adom launched its first first aid training course, and in January 1931, MDA's first ambulance was placed into service.

Throughout its 96 years of activity, MDA has stood alongside the Jewish community in pre-state Israel and, later, the State of Israel during every defining moment in its history. The organization served during the period of civil unrest prior to statehood, assisted Holocaust survivors arriving in Israel, treated the wounded during the War of Independence, and has responded in every subsequent war, terrorist attack, disaster, and national emergency the country has faced.

In 1950, the Magen David Adom Law was enacted by the Knesset, formally recognizing MDA as Israel's National Emergency Medical Service. Since then, thanks to the dedication of its employees, volunteers, and donors, MDA has continued to grow, expand, and pioneer medical and technological innovation—remaining steadfast in its commitment to providing lifesaving medical care to every person in need, regardless of religion, race, gender, or nationality.

MDA women throughout the years

Today, Magen David Adom's operations involve tens of thousands of employees and volunteers, thousands of ambulances, Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICUs), emergency motorcycles, medical evacuation helicopters, and intensive care buses. The 101 National Emergency Dispatch Center operates around the clock, while MDA's Blood Services supply blood units to Israel's healthcare system and security forces. The National Human Milk Bank provides life-saving donor milk to infants and premature babies. Together with a world-class technological infrastructure, these capabilities ensure that we are in the right place at the right time.

Every year, MDA also delivers extensive medical education and training programs for tens of thousands of volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals, and youth, as well as members of the general public. By making first aid and CPR knowledge widely accessible, MDA promotes the belief that every citizen can play a role in saving lives.

During the events of October 7 and throughout the security crises of recent years, MDA teams were among the first to arrive at scenes across the country, providing emergency medical care and evacuating casualties under active fire. Some of our personnel made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out their lifesaving mission.

In the aftermath of October 7, MDA significantly expanded its public education and preparedness efforts, conducting thousands of training sessions in protected spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, and communities throughout Israel. These programs equip citizens with practical skills to respond effectively in emergencies until medical teams arrive.

The 96th Anniversary Ceremony: Inspiring Stories from the Field

As part of Magen David Adom's 96th anniversary celebration, the organization hosted a special panel moderated by MDA paramedic Racheli Achar, featuring four remarkable stories that highlight the people behind MDA's lifesaving mission.

Daniel Suissa from Petah Tikva suffered a cardiac arrest while sheltering in a safe room during one of the missile attacks of Operation Rising Lion. His neighbor, Smadar Bracha, immediately began CPR under the guidance of an MDA emergency dispatcher while using a public-access defibrillator (AED). When MDA crews arrived, they continued advanced resuscitation efforts until his heart began beating again.

Eight-year-old Yosef Cohen, from the community of Asa'el, suddenly developed a severe headache. Recognizing that something was seriously wrong, his father immediately called MDA. Yosef was urgently transported to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed a brain hemorrhage. His father's vigilance, together with MDA's rapid assessment and swift evacuation, saved his life.

Moshe Koblentz, from the community of Tekoa, was critically injured after being bitten by an exceptionally venomous Ein Gedi saw-scaled viper. MDA's Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) team provided advanced emergency treatment during transport, stabilizing him long enough to reach the hospital, where he received the specialized care that ultimately saved his life.

Kobi Hershtel, from the Krayot region, is both a soldier in the 7th Armored Brigade and an MDA volunteer Emergency Medical Technician. During operational activity in Shuja'iyya, an explosive device detonated, amputating his right leg and severely injuring his left. After suffering massive blood loss, Kobi's life was saved thanks to blood units administered at the scene and en route to the hospital.

Following a lengthy hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and an ongoing rehabilitation process, Kobi is now standing on two prosthetic legs and pursuing his next goal: returning to volunteer with Magen David Adom. During the ceremony, he was invited to the stage, where he received a new MDA uniform and a responder's emergency backpack equipped with lifesaving resuscitation equipment, a symbolic gift supporting his determination to return to the organization he proudly serves.