In this case, the close to 50 NIS charge per beeper (pager) compelled Zaka directors to terminate the organization’s relationship with the Beeper Company after 23 years. Zaka has been testing the reliability of sending calls to volunteers as text messages to their mobile phones and after the trial period, has determined it is doable. Members with kosher phone incapable of receiving text messages are activated by a voice message.
150 northern district volunteers have been working with the text messages for weeks and the system has been deemed acceptable, permitting the return of the beepers held by volunteers nationwide.
Ladaat.net explains that a Zaka official stated the Beeper Company simply refuses to upgrade to pagers that permit recipients to respond, and as a result, organization leaders decided the antiquated beepers in use can be returned to the company. No explanation was given as to the significance of pager units permitting a recipient of a message to respond.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
' } });
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
