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Israeli legislation to create unified emergency number headed to Knesset

“We have advocated for this bill for a long time,” said United Hatzalah head Eli Beer.

United Hatzalah emergency personnel treating a patient at a mass-casualty simulation at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Photo by Eliana Rudee.
United Hatzalah emergency personnel treating a patient at a mass-casualty simulation at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Photo by Eliana Rudee.

Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs recently approved legislation to create a singular emergency phone number, which would unify organizations in the country that respond to medical emergencies throughout the country.

The law, which now heads to the Knesset, drew praise from United Hatzalah.

“We welcome this decision. We have advocated for this bill for a long time to improve the country’s emergency medical response system and call on everyone involved to make this bill a priority to ensure that circumstances do not once again prevent its full approval and implementation,” stated Eli Beer, the nonprofit’s founder and president.

He added that passing the bill would save many lives.

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