Jerusalem - As Israel continues to recover from the deadly Hamas attack in October 2023, Samaritans’ wallets are stepping in to help.
Christian Relief Group has now provided 20 ambulances to Magen David Adom, the Israeli National Emergency Medical Service. A total of 42 planned, of which 28 were armored to handle the attack.
At a ceremony outside the David Tower in Jerusalem, Samaritan Wallet President Franklin Graham worked with former Governor Mike Huckabee, MDA leaders and Israeli terror survivors to work on the latest ambulance.
The ambulance is equipped with a mobile intensive care unit that can operate under fire.
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Samaritan's Wallet President Franklin Graham stood in front of the new dedicated armored ambulance at David Tower in Jerusalem with Ambassador Mike Huckabee (left) and MDA Director General Eli Bin (right).
The car was funded by Pastor Greg Laurie and his church to harvest Christian fellowship. Laurie told those who gathered: "We imagine being like Christians, we stand with Israel. You are not alone."
Franklin Graham reads from the Bible that Abraham was like a responder when he rescued his nephew.
"Abraham is the MDA of his generation," Graham said. He also spent time talking directly with three women who had lost their loved ones or were kidnapped by Hamas. One of them, Karina Engel shares her emotional story.
Engel's husband, Ronen, defended her home, and she and her two daughters were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. They were held for 52 days and then released. Ron's body is still in possession by Hamas.
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Franklin Graham embraced hostage survivor Karina Engel during an emotional moment at an ambulance dedication ceremony in Jerusalem. Engel's husband was killed in the October 2023 Hamas attack. (via Samaritan's wallet shilave)
Karina told the crowd that a Samaritan wallet ambulance was presented in her husband's memory and is now stationed near their home.
She cried, "Every morning, when I go off work, I say 'Good morning' to Ron." Then she put a yellow ribbon on Graham's jacket to honor the hostages who are still being taken.
Mike Huckabee spoke at the ceremony and said the need for armored ambulances showed how serious the threat was. "This is an occasion that comes from suffering," he said.
“Thank God’s Samaritans for their wallets, for their Christian scholarships, and for those who risk their lives to help others.”
Magen David Adom leader praised the donation. Director-General Eli Bin said the ambulance “will be part of our modern defense” and called it a symbol of “goodness and protection.”
Franklin Graham stood next to the open back door of the new armored ambulance in Jerusalem. The vehicle is equipped with a mobile intensive care unit. (via Samaritan's wallet shilave)
MDA’s global president Gilad Erdan said Samaritan’s wallet “comes Israel’s help when it’s needed most.”
Edward Graham, the soldier and Franklin Graham's son, said in a statement that he had seen the value of rapid medical help in the combat zone.
“We do this because God loves Israel,” he said. “We pray that this device can save lives and bring glory to God.”
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The ambulance brings the Bible from Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know what I think of you, the Lord said, peace rather than evil thoughts, give you a future and hope."
The ceremony was held during Shavuot, which marked the Jewish holiday of the Torah.
22 armored ambulances are under construction and are expected to arrive by the end of the year. The Samaritan's wallet says that its work will continue whenever necessary.