The Shomron Residents’ Committee has been waging a battle against Magen David Adom (MDA) for over a half year since the nation’s EMS provider decided to agree to conditions surrounding its membership in the International Red Cross (IRC). MDA’s inclusion was conditional on removing its Red Magen David symbol from ambulances in areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron, as the international organization views those areas as “Israeli occupied”.

MDA complied, a move that earns the EMS organization $1.5 million annually in IRC funding, but for residents of yishuvim, they view the move as a “sell out” and they are unwilling to accept it as a fait accompli.

Trying to hit MDA where it hurts, the Shomron residents’ forum turned to MDA donors abroad during the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York City, an event that was partially sponsored by American by Friends of MDA. They used the forum to reach MDA’s major donors; seeking to persuade to make future donations conditional on MDA reversing its discriminatory decision which they insist negatively impacts ongoing settlement efforts in Eretz Yisrael.

Despite MDA efforts to portray the facts in a different light, insisting it did not sell out yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron, the terms of MDA’s acceptance into the IRC included the removal of the Red Magen David from ambulances and emergency stations situated in those areas.

For MDA fundraisers however nothing has changed and they continue to call on donors to contribute towards MDA’s life saving efforts in all areas as portrayed in MDA ads in different forums.

Benny Katzover, who heads the Shomron residents’ forum, vows to continue his tenacious battle against MDA’s inclusion in the IRC based on selling out the residents of Biblical areas of Eretz Yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)