MDA denounces 'racist joke’ put on Facebook by employee

MK Ahmed Tibi reveals posting on ambulence driver's privtae Facebook page.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
MDA Ambulance (photo credit: WIkicommons)
MDA Ambulance
(photo credit: WIkicommons)
Magen David Adom is investigating a racist comment that an employee, Meidan Ben-Yoash, posted on his personal Facebook page, and will take action in the matter, the organization said on Monday.
Ben-Yoash is an ambulance driver and medic who serves as spokesman for MDA’s Greater Tel Aviv area. The online comment, which he wrote three years ago, was revealed only in the past few days by United Arab List- Ta’al MK Ahmed Tibi.
Ben-Yoash posted a racist joke which read: “How long does it take an Arab woman to bring down the garbage? Nine months.”
Asked to comment, the spokesman for the entire organization said that the blood-donation, first-aid and ambulance service “denounces every expression of racism of any kind.”
From an initial investigation, it became apparent that the Facebook message was posted on Ben-Yoash’s private account about three years ago. When MDA director- general Eli Bin learned of it, “he ordered an in-depth investigation with the worker and taking steps against the phenomenon.”
The spokesman did not specify if any punishment was meted out to Ben-Yoash.
“MDA has no room for racism in the ranks of the organization, which integrates employees and volunteers from all sectors who are all working to save lives,” the spokesman said.