EXCLUSIVE: Franklin Graham leads ceremony as Samaritan’s Purse gives armored 'bulletproof' ambulance to Israel

Franklin Graham (center), president of Samaritan’s Purse, stands with Ambassador Mike Huckabee (left) and MDA Director General Eli Bin (right) successful beforehand of the recently dedicated armored ambulance astatine the Tower of David successful Jerusalem.

The funds for the conveyance came from Pastor Greg Laurie and his church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. Laurie told those gathered, "We privation to accidental arsenic Christians that we basal with Israel. You’re not alone."

Engel's husband, Ronen, was killed defending their home, and she and her 2 daughters were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. They were held for 52 days earlier being released. Ronen’s assemblage is inactive being held by Hamas.

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Franklin Graham embraces Karina Engel, a hostage survivor, during an affectional infinitesimal astatine the ambulance dedication ceremonial successful Jerusalem. Engel’s hubby was killed successful the October 2023 Hamas attacks. (Shealah Craighead via Samaritan's Purse)

Karina told the assemblage that a Samaritan’s Purse ambulance, dedicated successful her husband’s memory, is present stationed adjacent their home. 

"Every greeting erstwhile I permission for work, I accidental ‘good morning’ to Ronen," she said done tears. She past placed a yellowish ribbon connected Graham’s jacket, honoring those inactive held hostage.

Mike Huckabee spoke astatine the ceremonial and said the request for an armored ambulance shows however superior the menace inactive is. "This is an juncture brought astir due to the fact that of suffering," helium said. 

"Thank God for Samaritan’s Purse, Harvest Christian Fellowship, and the radical who hazard their lives to assistance others."

Magen David Adom leaders praised the donation. Director General Eli Bin said the ambulance "will go portion of our modern defense" and called it a awesome of "kindness and protection." 

Franklin Graham stands beside the unfastened rear doors of the caller armored ambulance successful Jerusalem. The conveyance is equipped with a mobile intensive attraction unit. (Shealah Craighead via Samaritan's Purse)

Gilad Erdan, planetary president of MDA, said Samaritan’s Purse "came to Israel’s assistance successful its clip of top need."

Edward Graham, a subject seasoned and Franklin Graham’s son, said successful a connection that helium has seen the worth of speedy aesculapian assistance successful combat zones. 

"We bash this due to the fact that God loves Israel," helium said. "We commune this instrumentality volition prevention lives and bring glory to God."

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The ambulance carries a Bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11 connected its side: "For I cognize the thoughts that I deliberation toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of bid and not of evil, to springiness you a aboriginal and a hope."

The ceremonial was held during Shavuot, the Jewish vacation that marks the giving of the Torah.

Twenty-two much armored ambulances are being built and are expected to get by the extremity of the year. Samaritan’s Purse says its enactment volition proceed arsenic agelong arsenic determination is simply a need.