Last week, Magen David Adom UK (MDA UK) marked the 1st Anniversary of the Abraham Accords with a series of events featuring HE Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, President of the Jordan National Red Crescent Society and former Chair of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross & Red Crescent.
(L-R): Russell Jacobs, Chair MDA UK, HE Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, President Jordan National Red Crescent Society Efrat Perri, Director of Public Diplomacy, Embassy of Israel, Fahad Al-Binali, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Daniel Burger, CEO Magen David Adom UK
(L-R) Father Dr Edward McGee, HE Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, Bishop Noel Treanor
Dr Al-Hadid addressed MDA UK donors and friends about the humanitarian work he, together with the International Red Crescent Society, has been doing with Magen David Adom in Israel.
The start of the week saw Dr Al-Hadid speak at the MDA UK Young Patrons’ Reception, followed by the Patrons’ Dinner, which raised a significant amount of money for MDA’s core activity as well as other capital projects.
On Tuesday in Belfast, MDA UK hosted religious, political and thought leaders, including the Lord Lieutenant of who is the Queen’s representative in Belfast. Mohammed’s insights into the Red Cross movement demonstrated for many present, a different side of Israel, which surprised some key politicians and church leaders who were previously anti-Israel.
On Wednesday, prior to Yom Kippur, MDA UK hosted a lunch which saw the Governments of Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Jordan come together with distinguished guests including Peers of the Realm and politicians.
The week’s events are a continuation of the international event hosted at the Magen David Adom Station in Jerusalem in June this year, which saw a delegation of young leaders and influencers from the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt, as well as their Israeli counter-parts, explore MDA’s lifesaving work and technological expertise.
Daniel Burger, Chief Executive MDA UK commented: “It is hard to imagine how quickly the geopolitics of the region have evolved and how Israel and her Gulf neighbours have become partners and allies – at government level as well as people-to-people. As we and the world continue to adapt to constant change, we are so proud of the fact that Magen David Adom is always choosing humanity over politics in its mission to save more lives.”
(L-R) Rob Rinder & The Rt Hon Lord Pickles
Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle CBE DStJ
Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant
Co Borough of Belfast
(L-R) Fahad Al-Binali & The Marquis of Reading
Russell Jacobs, Chairman MDA UK said: “It is through people such as Dr Al-Hadid, a Muslim from an Arab nation, that MDA is being given an opportunity to advocate all that is great about the State of Israel.”