News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Magen David Adom, Israel's rescue service, received an IDF ribbon at a ceremony today in Tel Aviv for its work during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Senior officials and commanders in MDA were joined by by Vice Premier Eli Yishai, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai and Deputy Health Minister Ya'akov Litzman. Also present was former interior minister Meir Sheetrit who campaigned for the citation.

The acknowledgement marks the end of a two-year battle by the organization for recognition of its performance during the month-long conflict. The MDA has a Knesset mandate to provide all of Israel’s pre-hospital emergency medical needs, including medical, disaster, ambulance and blood services, despite the fact it receives no government budgeted funding.