MDA israel

Magen David Adom representatives will join memorial ceremonies and lay wreaths across Israel, remembering the 162 MDA members who have fallen in wars and terror attacks. All the names will be read out at the central ceremony in the Magen David Adom headquarters. 

One of those fallen is First Sergeant Yisrael Lutati z"l, an MDA volunteer who was killed in a battle by Morag in 2004, when he was just 20 years old. Yisrael lived in Gush Katif, near the place where he fell. 

He began volunteering in MDA at the age of 15 as a youth volunteer and spent many hours in the MDA station in Netivot, doing shifts on ambulances and helping all those in need. He joined following his father Eli's footsteps, who has volunteered since 1991 and is still an active Senior EMT and ambulance driver. 

In November 2002, Yisrael joined the IDF, and was killed a year and ten months later, leaving parents, a brother, three sisters and a brother and sister in law. 

Meir Almalih, MDA Netivot station manager and a friend of the family spoke of how he remembers when Yisrael and Eli would work together. "It was very special to see and emotional. Yisrael was on station whenever he had free time, he was full of the joys of life, was very generous with his time and had a kind heart. Our connection was like family. Each year we attend the memorial service, we have created a corner in his memory at the station and we sit here and remember him. Yisrael was a simple, peaceful and modest person, and we mourn his death at such a young age."

Eli Lutati, Yisrael's father: "Yisrael wanted to volunteer since the age of 15 and he found his home in MDA. He went to school during the day and volunteered with MDA in the evenings and nights, an unusual activity for someone his age. Even during festivals and holidays he wanted to help and save lives. He volunteered in MDA until his dying day and filled his five years in the organization with helping others. I was lucky to do a few shifts with Yisrael, they were very special. He loved to save lives and help and worked in a very professional manner. On my last shift with him he asked me a question that made me shiver - he asked if you feel anything when you die. I quickly changed the subject and he realized the question made me uncomfortable." 

MDA Director General Eli Bin - "Magen David Adom succeeds in what it does thanks primarily to the special human element. Sadly, over the years, we have lost members of our family, volunteers and employees who have fallen in battle. Among those we have lost is First Sergeant Yisrael Lutati, a brilliant volunteer who fell in battle at the age of only 20. Despite his young age, Yisrael showed responsibility, professionalism and dedication to his duties. The employees and volunteers of MDA remember our sons and daughters who have fallen, hold their families close throughout the year and especially on this day, along with the other families in Israel. May we know no more sadness."