The Rev. Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse surprised Israel's emergency services agency on Thursday by dedicating two armored ambulances and pledging to donate 20 more.
The unveiling of the Magen David Adom ambulance, an emergency services system, was held in memory of three American-Israelis killed by Hamas: Hersh Goldberg Pollin, Roy Idan and Smadar Mor Idan.
In Israel, Franklin Graham and Samaritan's Purse donate ambulances to commemorate lives lost in terror attacks
“We're in Israel today to inaugurate two armoured ambulances which have just arrived and a new emergency centre near the Gaza border where there wasn't one before,” said Rev. Graham, chairman of Samaritan's Purse.
“The need is so great that we have committed to providing 20 more armoured ambulances. MDA teams are heroes, saving lives every day and it is an honour to be able to stand alongside them,” Graham added.
The Reverend Franklin Graham paid tribute to the Israeli-American hostages at the ambulance unveiling on Thursday, September 19th. (Samaritan's Purse)
With Thursday's donation included, Samaritan's Purse will have donated 42 ambulances to Israel since the war with Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Welcome to Israel, Mr. Franklin Graham, a true friend of the State of Israel,” said Eshkol Regional Council Mayor Gadi Yarkoni.
Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse opens new airborne response center 'to help those in distress'
Pastor Graham also attended the cornerstone laying ceremony for the new Magen David Adom (MDA) station in Abshalom, which borders the Gaza Strip. The emergency station in Abshalom will reduce the wait time for Israeli emergency personnel to arrive at the scene of emergencies along the Gaza border. MDA also partners with the Red Cross to respond to disasters around the world.
Samaritan's Purse is also working on building another Magen David Adam station in Shlomi on Israel's northern border.
“We don't know whether to be happy or sad. We hover between hope and despair. We are waiting for our comrades to come back,” MDA Executive Director Eli Bin said during the ceremony. “Mr. Graham, you are truly one of the most important people for MDA and one of the most important people for the State of Israel.”
Samaritan's Purse pledged on Thursday to donate 20 more ambulances to Israel's emergency services system. (Samaritan's Purse)
“The construction of the station will build a bridge between the horrific events that happened here and a much more hopeful future,” Binh added.
Samaritan's Purse donated 14 ambulances to MDA in January after Hamas forces destroyed Israeli rescue vehicles in an October 2023 attack.
“The generosity of Rev. Franklin Graham and his organization, Samaritan's Purse, knows no bounds. When Rev. Graham donated eight Magen David Adom armored ambulances and two new MDA emergency stations, he informed me that he would be donating 20 more, bringing the total to 42 life-saving vehicles. The entire nation of Israel is indebted to this great man and organization,” said MDA Executive Director Eli Bin.
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According to its website, Samaritan's Purse provides humanitarian assistance to “victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution” in more than 100 countries around the world.
