MDA ambulance (Archive photo)
Photo: Yariv Katz
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter. 'New day'
Photo: Niv Calderon
New symbol
Israel to provide PA with ambulances
In accordance with its induction to Red Cross organization, Magen David Adom to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Chairman of MDA's executive committee: We won't put up with woman who has to deliver baby at checkpoint
Magen David Adom will provide the Palestinians with six ambulances bearing the Red Crescent symbol and Israeli vehicle license plates, MDA officials said Sunday at a press conference detailing the induction agreement of MDA into the International Red Cross.
The ambulances which will be provided to the Palestinian Authority will be allowed to cross IDF checkpoints with a minimum security check, provided that the paramedic teams are on a pre-approved list registered by the Red Cross and that the ambulance carries a seriously ill or wounded person, as listed in a pre-approved list of medical conditions.
Agreement
Associated Press
Humanitarian movement admits Israeli society that had been left waiting for nearly 60 years, resolving longstanding concern over Crusaders, crosses and crescents
Two more ambulances will be provided by Israel to the Red Crescent to evacuate injured people from east Jerusalem.
According to the agreement, MDA will be able to use the diamond shaped logo while operating overseas and will be allowed to provide humanitarian aid to imprisoned or captured Israelis overseas.
Dr. Noam Yifrach, chairman of MDA's executive committee, said: "It was agreed that we will help the Palestinians to lobby the Israeli government for their humanitarian needs. The Palestinians asked us to help convince the Israeli authorities to perform only minimum security checks at the crossings."
'If we have to fight soldiers, we will'
In the past five months, a hotline has been operating between MDA's regional managers and their Palestinian counterparts. When Palestinians encounter a medical problem or a problem at the checkpoints related to treating ill or injured people, they call on their Israeli counterparts.
Dr. Yifrach added: "If we have to fight the soldiers, we will, but we will not put up with a woman who has to deliver a baby at the checkpoint or with an injured person being left to die there. An 18-year-old soldier cannot always appropriately judge the situation to determine whether one should cross over or not."
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, chairwoman of the American Red Cross, said that they have been waiting for 58 years for MDA to join the Red Cross. This is the beginning of a new day, she said, and an opportunity to support both organizations, Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Cross.
