Donating blood
Donating bloodRo'ee Engel, MDA spokesperson

Magen David Adom began preparations for the Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) fast, ordering regional commanders to raise the alert level to three (the highest level).

Every year, thousands of Israelis require emergency medical services during the course of Yom Kippur. Last year, MDA paramedics treated 2,326 individuals during the course of the holiday.

MDA officials emphasized that drivers who see an ambulance or other emergency vehicle should yield the right of way and allow the ambulance to pass as quickly as possible. Failure to do so, they said, could be fatal for those waiting for evacuation.

Each Yom Kippur, MDA responds to over 2,000 emergencies. Many of those injured are pedestrians and children who were injured on the roads while riding bicycles and electric bicycles, and children who were injured while playing without supervision near synagogues. Other calls involve pregnant women who begin to have contractions, and still others involve individuals who began to feel ill as a result of the fast.

Since there is a shortage of blood donations each year during the holiday season, MDA calls on individuals with O-type blood and Rh negative blood of all types (A-, B-, AB- and O-) to donate blood.

MDA operates blood donation stands at tourist attractions, malls, MDA stations, and other public places around Israel. Information on locations and times can be found on MDA's website, via MDA's smartphone app, or by phone.