By: Fern Sidman

In the soaring neoclassical halls of Cipriani Wall Street, nearly 600 supporters of American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) gathered for an evening that was equal parts commemoration, call to action, and celebration of Israel’s resilience. At the center of the night stood political commentator, author, and former host of The View, Meghan McCain, who accepted the prestigious Champion of Israel Award for her outspoken advocacy on behalf of the Jewish state and its people.

McCain’s remarks, equal measures personal testimony and political proclamation, struck a resonant chord among attendees, many of whom have long viewed her as a rare and consistent ally in American public life. At a time when Israel faces mounting hostility on the world stage and antisemitism is once again resurgent, her words carried particular weight.

“No matter how much of the world — motivated by moral cowardice, material interest, or the sublimated antisemitism that still stalks the globe — turns away from Israel, I will not. I will never,” McCain declared, drawing extended applause.

Though not Jewish herself, McCain emphasized her deep and longstanding connection to Jewish tradition and the State of Israel, forged in part through her late father, Senator John McCain, whose decades-long friendship with Senator Joe Lieberman made him one of the most reliable pro-Israel voices in Washington. She recalled visiting Israel and being profoundly moved by both the challenges the country endures and the optimism of its people.

“My father always taught me that America’s bond with Israel was not just strategic — it was moral,” she said. “He showed me that standing with the Jewish people is standing with freedom itself.”

Her remarks drew on this heritage to draw a stark moral contrast between those who dedicate their lives to destruction and those who dedicate their lives to saving others. “When you look at Magen David Adom,” she noted, “you see the best of humanity — paramedics and medics who run toward danger, who fight to preserve life in the face of unrelenting terror.”

McCain also warned that Israel’s struggle is inseparable from the broader contest between democratic values and radical ideologies. “If Israel were to lose its war — God forbid — the armies of darkness would march toward us here in America, too,” she said. “I want my children to grow up in a country that is good and just and free. And the radicals who threaten that don’t just hate Israel; they hate this country, Western values, freedom, and democracy too.”

Her remarks encapsulated a theme that ran throughout the evening: Israel’s fight is not merely a regional conflict but one with global implications, touching on the safety of Jewish communities worldwide and the survival of liberal democracy itself.

The AFMDA gala, hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ari Ackerman, was not only a forum for political speeches but also a celebration of resilience, philanthropy, and lifesaving service. Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Israel’s envoy to the United Nations and global president of MDA, offered stirring remarks about the centrality of Magen David Adom to Israel’s security infrastructure.

“Magen David Adom’s extraordinary ability to save lives, as the world witnessed during Operation Rising Lion, is thanks, above all, to our supporters here in the United States,” Ambassador Erdan said. “For 95 years, you have empowered MDA to become the world’s premier lifesaving organization. Because the home front was in the best hands, Israel’s leaders could make bold, decisive choices on the frontlines — knowing our people were protected.”

Guests also heard a firsthand account from senior paramedic Raphael Herbst, who has responded to countless terror attacks and emergencies. His testimony gave the assembled donors a sobering glimpse into the courage and immediacy required of MDA’s frontline medics. A musical performance by Yuval Raphael, Israel’s recent Eurovision representative, lent the evening a cultural and emotional crescendo.

KPMG, the multinational accounting and financial services firm, was formally recognized for its generous contributions to AFMDA, highlighting the corporate world’s role in sustaining Israel’s emergency services.

The evening raised significant funds to bolster MDA’s preparedness, a task that has grown more urgent given the unrelenting waves of attacks Israel has endured in recent years. Funds will be directed toward expanding the fleet of rescue vehicles, upgrading training and equipment for paramedics and EMTs, and protecting Israel’s blood supply through the state-of-the-art Marcus Blood Center.

As AFMDA CEO Catherine Reed emphasized, “The last two years have been among the most difficult and painful for Israel and the Diaspora, and the support shown by our friends has never been more crucial. I was deeply moved by the many supporters who came out to show their passion for Magen David Adom’s lifesaving work.”

McCain’s recognition came at a fraught moment in global politics, where Israel finds itself increasingly isolated in international forums. Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, recently accused Israel of using “unconventional weapons” in Gaza — remarks Israel denounced as antisemitic distortions. Against this backdrop, McCain’s unwavering defense of Israel stood out as a rebuke to what she called the “moral cowardice” of much of the international community.

Her message, however, was not simply about geopolitical alliances but about human values. She framed the choice facing the United States and its allies as one between civilization and barbarism, between those who nurture life and those who seek to extinguish it. “The radicals who hate Israel do not stop at its borders,” she said. “They despise the freedoms we hold dear.”

McCain’s honor at Cipriani Wall Street places her in a line of prominent non-Jewish figures who have been embraced by the Jewish community for their steadfast defense of Israel. In her case, that commitment has been consistent despite the political and cultural backlash often directed at outspoken pro-Israel voices.

Her willingness to invoke antisemitism directly — calling it an ancient hatred that has adapted to modern disguises — resonated with the evening’s audience, many of whom see antisemitism on the rise in American schools, streets, and social media platforms.

The gala also offered an opportunity to highlight MDA’s indispensable role in Israeli life. Often described as Israel’s version of the Red Cross, the organization does far more than emergency ambulance services. It treats and transports over a million people annually, supplies nearly all the blood to Israel’s hospitals, and responds internationally to disasters ranging from earthquakes to mass-casualty incidents.

Through its global reach, MDA also illustrates Israel’s humanitarian face. “When disaster strikes anywhere in the world, Magen David Adom is there,” noted Ambassador Erdan. “That is Israel’s story too: a nation that fights for its survival while also extending a hand to others.”

The evening’s success reflected not only the generosity of donors but also the shared conviction that Israel’s security is inseparable from the moral commitments of the Jewish diaspora and its allies. The funds raised will help ensure that, whether in moments of war or peace, Israel’s emergency medical system remains among the most advanced and responsive in the world.

As the night drew to a close, the mood was one of sober resolve leavened with pride. Attendees left Cipriani Wall Street reminded that while Israel faces existential threats, it also enjoys the unwavering solidarity of those prepared to stand with it in both word and deed.

For Meghan McCain, the evening was more than an award ceremony. It was an opportunity to reaffirm a pledge — to her father’s legacy, to her children’s future, and to the Jewish people. “I will never turn away from Israel,” she vowed once more. “And neither should America.”