As part of the takeaways from the Oct. 7 massacre, in which search and rescue forces largely could not enter battle zones to treat the wounded, the Israel Police inaugurated this week four new bulletproof ambulances. The lack of protection for emergency vehicles prevented EMS from reaching civilians and ultimately cost hundreds of lives. Thanks to the first-of-its-kind donation of the nonprofits "Israel Friends" and "Let's Do Something", the police's elite units will use the ambulances in emergency scenarios.
Video: Police inaugurates new bulletproof ambulances | Israel Friends
The new armored ambulances were inaugurated in a modest ceremony, attended by Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, Chief Medical Officer of the Israel Police Dr. Valerie Shoshan, nonprofit teams, and donor representatives. At B6 Armored Protection, the ambulances are equipped with ballistic glass windows designed to halt shots fired by AK-47s, pistols, and assault rifles. The ambulances' steel plate doors create an armored capsule around the ambulance. Along with the protection of the vehicle and its occupants, B6 Armored Protection guarantees maximum lightness, to ease the driving process and provide aegis to the passengers. Among the included safety measures are an armored roof, an intercom system, run flat tires, emergency lights, and specialized cameras.
To date, armored ambulances were used exclusively by Israel's National Counter Terrorism Unit (Yamam). The new ambulance will serve elite units of the Israel Police, such as Yamas (Israel Border Police's undercover counter-terrorism unit), the Gideonim (a specialized undercover counter-terrorism unit), Yasam (special patrol), and other units. The ambulances will also be used by the police's medical facilities.
"Let's Do Something", one of the nonprofits donating these ambulances, was established on October 8th mere hours after a group of five lifelong friends learned that their close friend, David Newman, had been murdered at the Nova festival. After 24 hours in the south and identifying David's body, these friends gathered to help their country and have donated over 15 million dollars in support for the 10,000 soldier and 50,000 civilians affected by the massacre. CEO Baruch Epsdorf said: "'One who saves a life saves the world entire.' In war, sometimes life comes at the cost of another life—and different opinions can represent different values in this choice. Armored ambulances represent a precise and straightforward choice of unique lifesaving, with no calculation. We are proud to part of this movement."
The nonprofit Israel Friends, which donated the armored ambulances to the Israel Police, was established after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. In streamlining donations, they have secured around 500 tones of equipment – totaling roughly 26 million dollars – for the IDF and Israel's security forces since the beginning of the war.
"We have only recently finished debriefing the events of October 7th. There were officers evacuated in private vehicles that were exposed to gunfire," said Israel Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai at a ceremony. "Armored ambulances are necessary in areas where rescue forces cannot reach, especially for special units operating in difficult zones and regions far from medical centers. This is an initial response to save lives," concluded the Commissioner, presenting a recognition award on behalf of the Israel Police to the representatives of the organizations.
Jordan Fried, an American investor and entrepreneur who co-founded Israel Friends, said after the ceremony: "In the barbaric attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on the towns of the Gaza envelope on October 7th, we were exposed to the significant need for armored ambulances for the security forces, which if they had existed, could have saved many lives. As an organization that arose specifically after the massacre, with the aim of helping the State of Israel, we chose to raise the gauntlet and donate the first four ambulances to the Israel Police. We stand and will always stand by the State of Israel, praying for better days."
Israel Friends' CEO, Kyle Blank, added, "On Oct. 7, the whole world was exposed to the supreme heroism and bravery of the Israeli police officers, who served as a buffer and shield between the murderers of Hamas and the citizens of Israel – saving many lives with self-sacrifice. Since Oct. 7t we have seen 63 police heroes who gave their lives protecting our homes. These heroes and the other 35,000 officers who work every day to protect our streets have signed up for an incredibly challenging job. There is no doubt that the new armored ambulances we have the privilege of donating will significantly help the work of the police in future emergencies, in the hope that they will not occur again. The Israel Friends organization salutes the Israel Police and will always stand by their side."
