Franklin Graham, President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, along with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Greg Laurie, Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, were on hand in Jerusalem for the donation of an armored ambulance for Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency services system.
The ceremony for the new bulletproof armored ambulance was held at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem. The vehicle was donated by Samaritan’s Purse and Harvest Christian Fellowship, based in Riverside, California.
The newly dedicated vehicle joins 41 ambulances previously donated by Samaritan’s Purse, providing significant reinforcement to Magen David Adom’s emergency response capabilities, particularly in high-risk areas and during security emergencies.
In addition to Graham, Huckabee, and Laurie, Graham’s wife, children, and grandchildren were at the ceremony, along with Edward Graham, COO of Samaritan’s Purse, Magen David Adom Director General Eli Bin, Global President of Magen David Adom and former Israeli Ambassador to the UN and the U.S. Gilad Erdan, and other distinguished guests.
Also attending were the family of hostage Elkana Buhbut; Karina Engel, widow of Magen David Adom volunteer Ronen Tommy Engel, who was murdered on the morning of October 7 while treating the wounded and whose body was taken to Gaza; and Lihi Levy-Inberg, widow of Dr. Daniel Levy Ludmir, who was killed in Be’eri on October 7 while treating the wounded, along with MDA paramedic Amit Man.
During the ceremony, hosted by journalist Lital Shemesh, a special interview was held with hostage survivor Karina Engel, who was kidnapped along with her daughters from their home in Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists and released in the first hostage deal. In her interview, she shared: “One of the things that really moved us after such a long period of pain and longing was receiving the ambulance dedicated in Ronen’s memory. The ambulance is stationed in Kiryat Gat, and fittingly, it’s just a few meters from our home. Every morning when I leave for work, I say ‘good morning’ to Ronen – so for that, I thank you.”
During the event, Karina presented and pinned the yellow hostage pin on Reverend Franklin Graham.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee: “It is an extraordinary gift that Samaritan’s Purse and Harvest Church are making possible today. I’ve known Franklin Graham and the incredible work of Samaritan’s Purse for a long time. Wherever there is a calamity, whether it’s in the United States or in any part of the world, they’re usually the first to show up, and the last to leave. But I pray never again will any of us have to wear this yellow ribbon as a reminder that while we are enjoying our freedom, there are those who are not. Thank God for Samaritan’s Purse, Harvest Church, and for the extraordinary people who risked their lives on an ambulance every day to go and rescue those who are in harm’s way.”
President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, Rev. Franklin Graham: “This is one of the ambulances we promised to the dedicated team of Magen David Adom, who are working to save lives throughout this country. I thank Greg Laurie and his church for providing the funding. When Pastor Laurie heard there was a need, he asked how he could help. I told him he could fund an ambulance – and his church and its supporters were very glad to assist the people of Israel in this way.”
Ambulance donor and Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Greg Laurie: “It was an honor for us to seize this opportunity and help raise funds for a unique armored ambulance – meant to bring life-saving treatment to those who need it. This vehicle will serve both Jews and Arabs, providing medical aid to all who need it. As Christians, we want our Jewish friends to know: we stand with you in this time of need.”
Edward Graham, son of Franklin Graham, COO of Samaritan’s Purse, and former U.S. Army Ranger who served in eight combat missions: “As someone who has personally experienced combat and pain, I’ve seen how important it is to evacuate loved ones quickly and safely to receive medical care. I’m grateful for the opportunity given to me today to provide equipment to Magen David Adom during this time of need. We do this because God loves Israel, and our prayer is that this equipment will protect medical personnel, save lives, and bring glory to God.”
Global President of MDA, the former Israeli Ambassador to the UN and U.S., Gilad Erdan: “Jewish tradition teaches that whoever saves one life, it is as if they saved an entire world. Franklin, Pastor Greg, friends of Samaritan’s Purse and the Harvest Christian Fellowship community – thanks to your generosity and support, you have saved many lives – and entire worlds. Even at this very moment, our brave fighters continue battling terrorists on multiple fronts. We will never give up our determination to defeat terror and extremism, and we will not rest until each and every hostage returns home. Israel’s struggle is the struggle of civilization. And our partnership – Jews and Christians united – is the leading front in defending civilization from hatred, terror, and extremism. On behalf of all MDA staff and volunteers, from every religion and background – I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
MDA Director General, Eli Bin: "Our mission is to prepare Magen David Adom for a multi-front campaign. Magen David Adom needs to be ready today—not in a month, and not in a year. MDA must be strong, because the State of Israel has only one army and only one national rescue organization. Samaritan's Purse chose to strengthen MDA, Israel’s national rescue organization, and since the beginning of the war has donated dozens of ambulances and mobile intensive care units, most of them bulletproof. I would like to thank the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, for honoring us with his presence, and the President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse, Reverend Franklin Graham, Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Greg Laurie, and Samaritan’s Purse COO Edward Graham, who are with us today, for this blessed partnership and your generous contribution to strengthening Magen David Adom for the health and well-being of Israel’s citizens.”
To learn more about Magen David Adom, visit savinglivesinIsrael.org.