The tragic collapse of the Versailles banquet hall in Jerusalem paradoxically brought out the best in Israel's Magen David Adom emergency services. Nearly 100 MDA emergency vehicles took part in the evacuation the over 300 injured wedding guests. MDA officials report that all the vehicles reached the site within 30 to 40 minutes. Around 500 rescuers were recruited, including 300 volunteers and 200 staffers. In addition, the MDA Blood Bank transferred 727 blood units to the various Jerusalem hospitals that treated the wounded. Within six hours, the Blood Bank collected 1800 blood units from concerned donors. Paramedics that are actually training in Tel Aviv and who enjoyed a well-deserved pause at a local theatre left their seats and rushed to the rescue. MDA Headquarters and directorate forgot about the wedding they were attending in Tel Aviv and rushed to the scene, too.
In early May, Health Minister Rabbi Nissim Dahan spoke at the meeting of the MDA council, thanking them for their "professionalism and efficiency" while treating the victims of the most recent terrorist attacks. "To every site that I reached after a terrorist act," Dahan said, "unaccountable praise was pored over the MDA crews that devotedly accomplished their work while showing their true love and compassion to mankind...You came fast, you acted perfectly, in a short delay and in dire circumstances."
In early May, Health Minister Rabbi Nissim Dahan spoke at the meeting of the MDA council, thanking them for their "professionalism and efficiency" while treating the victims of the most recent terrorist attacks. "To every site that I reached after a terrorist act," Dahan said, "unaccountable praise was pored over the MDA crews that devotedly accomplished their work while showing their true love and compassion to mankind...You came fast, you acted perfectly, in a short delay and in dire circumstances."