October 7 has shown the importance of having a civilian, non-governmental EMS organization in Israel, United Hatzalah Founder and President Eli Beer said while speaking at the event “The Second Front - The battle for Israel and the Jewish people” organized by The Jerusalem Post.
On that day, which in Israel has become known as “Black Saturday,” hundreds of United Hatzalah volunteers poured into southern Israel – despite the danger – in order to save lives.
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“The national ambulance services were sending only armored vehicles to the area and they have very few, but we started sending in every vehicle we had,” Beer recalled. “Our volunteers said that they felt the need to help in spite of the danger and that in times of war, they felt a responsibility as first responders.”
The price of helping
United Hatzalah paid a heavy price as a result of the attack by Hamas.
“Of those who were in the area when Hamas attacked, we had two volunteers killed, another kidnapped, and several injured. The first volunteer to be killed was providing medical coverage in the field at the big party near Re’im,” Beer said, referring to the Supernova music festival where the terrorists massacred over 360 people. “He was an Arab Muslim from Nazareth who at 6:25 a.m. told us that there was a big terror attack.”
Beer explained that the man was killed by the terrorists after refusing to leave an injured Jewish woman.
A number of other volunteers were wounded in the first few minutes after the attack yet continued to operate under fire. Among those who went to the South from other areas, almost none sustained injuries, and they helped treat thousands of injured people and saved many lives.
“I have 1,200 stories of heroes who went to save lives,” he said.
With Hanukkah approaching, Beer highlighted how much the story of the Maccabees, who fought to free Israel from the Seleucid Empire, inspires him in leading Hatzalah.
“I really think the Maccabees are an example of what United Hatzalah is, because they took responsibility to protect the Jewish people, and they were volunteers,” he said. “The Maccabees told themselves that if they did not protect the Jewish people, if they did not fight, there would be no Jewish people anymore. If it wasn’t for them, we would not exist today.”
“United Hatzalah shows why a civilian non-governmental organization can make a difference,” he concluded.
The Jerusalem Post is proud to partner with United Hatzalah on the Lights and Lifesavers project to honor the October 7 massacre Heroes of Hanukkah. To support the country’s first responders, visit www.jpost.com/lifesavers2023