The posters claim that female EMTs are committing a double sin both by being involved in Sherut Leumi (national service) and also by being on a secondary level of prohibited intimacy, but these claims can easily be refuted.

Regarding the issue of national service, the female EMTs on United Hatzalah staff are volunteers and are not performing their national service via the organization, which does not have EMT positions open for national service. Regarding the claim of prohibited intimacy, theoretically the same objections raised against females treating males could conceivably be raised regarding males treating females. If the person requesting help is female, it would be more halachically correct that she be treated by another female than by a male and therefore the need for female EMTs is vital to strengthen the halachic aspects of emergency treatment, especially in cases of emergency childbirth.

Posters plastered on walls in Beit Shemesh claim that there are issues of Yichud (seclusion) when Hatzalah volunteers enter the homes of sick patients.

The poster concludes by announcing an upcoming campaign against Hatzalah and against the “knitted kippa rabbis” who support them. However according to the United Hatzalah website, the official rabbinic board of Hatzalah (though surely other rabbonim are involved in different capacities as well) are: Rav Ezriel Auerbach, Rav Sariel Rosenberg, Rav Aryeh Dvir and Rav Yehuda Silman. None of these are “knitted-kippa rabbis” but rather leaders of the chareidi community in Israel.

Charedi and Muslim United Hatzalah volunteers

President and Founder of United Hatzalah Eli Beer responded to the outrageous criticism posted in Beit Shemesh by extremist elements within the Charedi community and said: "I am proud that United Hatzalah has women volunteers. We are the first organization to unite Ultra-Orthodox, Modern-Orthodox, Secular, Jews, Non-Jews, men and women alike. United Hatzalah stands as a shining example to other Jewish rescue organizations demonstrating that no one should be excluded based on their religious beliefs or their gender.   

We are going to continue to grow United Hatzalah and serve all communities. We will continue to increase the number of all of our volunteers, men and women alike, this is the best solution for all communities. This is especially true for the Charedi community. Having women provide emergency medical care to other women who are in need of help is not just an issue of modesty, but it is a humanitarian comfort as well.

You don’t have to be Charedi to feel more comfortable having someone of the same gender treat your injuries, especially if they are of an intimate nature. Everything we do complies with Halacha. We will not allow radical elements of any community to stop us from performing our duty and our mission which is to provide medical care and assistance and save lives, regardless of gender, religion, nationality. We are all human and we will work together to help everyone in need."