The ambulance number in Israel is 101. It connects you to Magen David Adom (MADA), the country's national emergency medical service, around the clock. If you have recently arrived in Israel for work, save the emergency numbers in your phone right now: in a real emergency there is no time to search for them. This guide covers all emergency service numbers in Israel, how to call an ambulance without Hebrew, why the MADA app is worth installing, and what to do after a work injury.

Emergency numbers in Israel: quick list

  • 101 — ambulance, Magen David Adom (MADA);
  • 100 — police;
  • 102 — fire service;
  • 112 — the general emergency number: your call is routed to the right service, and under the mobile network standard it goes through even from a phone without a SIM card.

Calls to these numbers are free. Save them in your contacts and share them with the people you live with — in a dorm or a shared flat, help may be needed by someone else, not just you.

How to call an ambulance on 101 without Hebrew

Do not let the language barrier stop you. MADA's call center takes calls not only in Hebrew: you can speak English, and there are Russian-speaking staff and volunteers as well. If the operator does not understand you, say "English, please" or "Russian, please" and stay on the line — they will switch you over or adapt.

What to tell the dispatcher:

  • what happened: a person is unconscious, chest pain, an injury, heavy bleeding;
  • the exact address: city, street, building, floor, apartment. Tip: learn your address in Hebrew or English in advance and keep it written in your phone;
  • your phone number for a callback;
  • how many people are injured and their condition.

Do not hang up until the dispatcher confirms the call has been taken.

The My MDA app: calling with your location attached

MADA has a free mobile app, My MDA, for Android and iPhone. Its biggest advantage for a newcomer: when you call through the app, it automatically sends your GPS location to the dispatcher — no need to explain an address in an unfamiliar language. There is also a text chat with the dispatch center in several languages and an option to pre-load your medical details. Install the app on your first day in Israel — it takes a couple of minutes and can save the most precious thing in a crisis: time.

Not an emergency? Call your health fund

For a fever, general sickness, or a question about medication, do not call 101 — the health funds run round-the-clock hotlines:

  • *2700 — Clalit;
  • *3555 — Maccabi;
  • *3833 — Meuhedet;
  • *507 — Leumit.

If you do not hold Israeli citizenship, you are most likely covered by a foreign workers' insurance policy arranged by your employer. Ask your coordinator in advance for the insurance company's name, your policy number, and its hotline — and keep those details at hand.

Is an ambulance ride in Israel free?

An important detail many people learn only from a bill in the mailbox: an ambulance call-out in Israel is not always free for the patient. If the crew arrives but the trip does not end in hospitalization, the patient may be billed for the call-out — health funds and insurers do not cover these costs in every case. The rules depend on your specific fund and policy, so check the conditions with your insurer or health fund in advance. Most importantly, this is no reason to hesitate: when a life is at risk, call 101 without a second thought — health is worth more than any bill.

Injured at work: step by step

  • Step 1 — get help. Health comes first: for a serious injury call 101 or ask your coworkers to. For a minor one, contact your health fund or insurer — but do not try to just "walk it off".
  • Step 2 — document everything. As soon as it is safe, photograph the scene and the injury, write down the exact time and circumstances, and note the witnesses — coworkers who saw what happened.
  • Step 3 — inform your employer and coordinator. Do it the same day and in writing (even a messenger text counts): a properly reported workplace injury is the basis for sick leave and compensation.

For how to track your shifts and make sure your pay adds up, see our article on tracking work hours and wages.

Bottom line

Israel's emergency services work fast and well: 101 for a MADA ambulance, 100 for police, 102 for fire, 112 as the general number. Save them today, install the My MDA app, and learn your insurance terms — these three steps are enough to keep a cool head when it matters. And if you are still choosing a job in Israel, browse the current vacancies or leave a request for job matching — our manager will help you find a verified vacancy and suggest which insurance questions to ask the employer.