ByA Charity Spokesperson, United Hatzalah of Israel
2 min read
ByA Charity Spokesperson, United Hatzalah of Israel
Words fail to convey how moved I was by these volunteers. They dedicated their precious time, managing the situation in a way I didn’t think was possible.”
These are the words of a staff member from a kindergarten for children with special needs. These are the words of someone who called for the assistance of United Hatzalah volunteer medics. These are the words of someone who has seen the service in action. These are the words of someone who recognises the heart behind United Hatzalah.
United Hatzalah bridges the gap between the time a medical emergency call is made and the time an ambulance arrives. This is made possible by its cross-country network of 8,000 trained and certified volunteer medics who, when alerted to a local emergency, boast an incredible average response time of three minutes or less right across the country.
United Hatzalah’s service and response would not be possible without its dedicated volunteer medics. This is a group that truly reflects all parts of Israeli society, be it secular and religious, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Bedouins and Druze.
This special group of volunteers work together as one to support each other and those around them in their time of need, free of charge, regardless of medical insurance status. United Hatzalah’s services are truly accessible for all. Tikkun olam in action.
In the Bedouin city of Rahat in southern Israel, United Hatzalah has recently appointed the first Muslim female deputy head of branch. Doa Al Aubra is a 30-year-old teacher who joined United Hatzalah in 2022, working in a field where women from her community were rarely seen. She got involved with the organisation following both the loss of her mother in a car accident when she was just ten and the historically long ambulance response times in her community.
“I can’t just ignore someone in need. At first people thought it was strange for a religious woman to volunteer in this way,” Al Aubra explains. “But over time, they realised how important it is.”
Doa’s role at United Hatzalah has changed perceptions in her community and she has become the person families call when they need urgent medical help, even before they call for emergency services. “Sometimes a familiar face makes all the difference in a crisis. People feel more comfortable, and that’s what matters.”
United Hatzalah’s inclusive and community-focused approach extends to how it builds its “workforce”. It has, for example, launched a specialist professional medical training programme which offers fully subsidised medical training, certification and placement to widows in Israel who need to financially support their families while also fulfilling the role as primary caregiver.
This programme has multiple benefits, providing income and a career path as well as contributing to the wellbeing of Israel’s society. Graduates go on to work as emergency medical technicians, phlebotomists and first-aid instructors and serve in prestigious medical institutions and healthcare clinics across the country.
United Hatzalah of Israel is, on the surface, an emergency medical response organisation but in reality, it is far more than that. It is a reflection of the population in Israel. It is the embodiment of coexistence. It is a beacon of hope for the many that rely on it. But most importantly, it is a symbol of community and the support that exists between one neighbour and another.
United Hatzalah was founded on the premise that when life is in danger, speed is the solution to lifesaving. Making this work relies on the love and care of individuals for those around them. This remains at the heart of the organisation today.
United Hatzalah’s service is free to all those who need it. All its work is funded by lifetime donations and gifts in wills. Please consider supporting United Hatzalah of Israel in 2025. A gift in your lifetime will ensure the extension of another’s lifeline.
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Registered charity 1101329