Gilad Erdan, Global President of Magen David Adom, spoke of the importance of the organization at the Jerusalem Post Washington Conference, stating that “Magen David Adom is the backbone of Israel’s existence.”
Erdan said that Israel learned three lessons over the past two years. “For years, Israel believed that quiet meant safety. October 7 ended that illusion. From that day, Israel committed itself to preemptive action. Never again will we wait for the first shot.”
The second lesson, he continued, is that striking first is not only a military doctrine, but is a diplomatic one as well. “We must fight for our global standing with the same resolve, the same resources, and the same innovation we bring to every other arena. Today, Israel’s branding is not a luxury. It’s a matter of our national security.”
The final lesson, Erdan pointed out, is the importance of protecting the home front. “Our enemies know that they cannot defeat the IDF, so they strike our communities. They want to drive us away from our homeland in fear.
“When we strengthen the home front, when help arrives in seconds, when first responders have the best equipment, armoured ambulances, and top training, the enemy’s strategy collapses. If the enemy targets the home front, the home front must be unbreakable,” he concluded.
Citing the organization’s unique capabilities, Erdan noted that Magen David Adom boasts 34,000 volunteers, 2,000 ambulances, one of the most advanced, AI-driven dispatch systems in the world, Israel’s only underground missile-proof blood center, and its National Human Milk Bank, which protects Israel’s most vulnerable, including premature infants.
“On October 7,” said Erdan, “MDA teams ran towards the fire, risking their lives to save others and paying the ultimate price. The lesson is clear. If the enemy targets the home front, the home front must be unbreakable.”
“These three lessons are our roadmap forward,” he concluded. “If we strike first, if we defend the truth, and if we protect every life on our home front, no enemy, no lie, and no terror will break the spirit of Israel. Together with our American allies, we will secure a future worthy of our children.”
This article was written in cooperation with Magen David Adom.