Israel’s outgoing UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan assumes new role as global president of Magen David Adom

Read this article in:

Israel’s outgoing ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, has been named global president of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency services.

“In this role, he will promote the emergency medical and blood services activities of the organization and represent it on the international stage, as well as advocate on behalf of MDA at international forums and other global events,” read the announcement.

Erdan has completed an eventful and consequential four-year tenure as Israel’s representative to the UN. He served in the role under three different governments and was recently replaced by veteran diplomat and member of the Likud party, Danny Danon.

Some of his most memorable moments fighting for the State of Israel on the world stage included, Erdan holding up a sign with the phone number of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, being ejected from the UN General Assembly for interrupting the speech of Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raisi, and controversially, wore a Holocaust symbol – the yellow Star of David – for a UN Security Council session after the Oct. Hamas 7 attack.

Erdan did not hold back his criticism of the deep bias against Israel at the UN, and lashed out at Sec.-Gen. António Guterres – calling on him to resign on several occasions.

In a recent interview with i24NEWS in Hebrew, he said the UN Headquarters in New York is “unnecessary” and “should be closed and wiped off the face of the earth.”

Erdan, who previously served as Israel’s public security minister and a member of the Security Cabinet, is viewed as one of the most prominent figures in the Likud party, with the potential to take the helm after Netanyahu, whenever his era comes to an end.

“We are honored and excited to welcome Ambassador Erdan to this key role,” said Catherine Reed, CEO of American Friends of Magen David Adom. “His vast experience as an advocate for Israel will be critical in promoting MDA’s lifesaving work.”

Magen David Adom is a non-profit organization with 32,000 active volunteers. It provides pre-hospital treatment and ambulance transports for more than a million patients to hospitals every year, and collects, processes, and distributes Israel’s blood to hospitals and the IDF.

MDA is “the backbone of Israel’s resilience,” Erdan said. “The IDF is charged with protecting the borders. Magen David Adom is charged with protecting the people inside those borders, including wounded soldiers.”