ommunicated by Shuki Guttman, MDA Spokesman December 1, 1997 Magen David Adom training PA ambulance drivers For the first time, Magen David Adom, in cooperation with the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, is conducting a course to train about 25 Arabs from the Palestinian Authority as medics and ambulance drivers. MDA President Dr. Shlomi Antebbi agreed to a request from the chairman of the Palestinian Red Crescent, Dr. Fathi Arafat, to train Palestinian residents as medics who will then be able to join the Palestinian Red Crescent, which operates in the Palestinian Authority. The course is meant to give them knowledge and training in ambulance driving, equipment and medical treatment, including first aid and resuscitation in various emergency situations. The course is being conducted according to the accepted MA training program, which includes 100 hours of theory, followed by practical driving training with an instructor. The three-week course, which began on 30.11.97, is being held at the Holyland Hotel in Jerusalem. It is being conducted in Arabic by Yigal Aviad, a senior MDA instructor. Natan Kodinsky , MDA's director of training, noted: "Cooperation between MDA and the Palestinian Red Crescent will create increased understanding between the two peoples."