MDA to gain international recognition?

International Red Cross prepares to vote on whether to change organization's symbol, make it acceptable to three religions; voting to also include final approval on merging Israeli rescue services into organization, along with international recognition of its operations
Meital Yasur-Beit Or

About 190 countries and organizations which are part of the international Red Cross organizations are expected to vote this week on whether to recognize the red crystal symbol and merge Magen David Adom rescue services into the organizations. According to estimations, Muslim countries will vote against the proposal.

Opinion

Of crosses, crescents and crystals / Alan D. Abbey

They don't like Magen David? Red Cross groups should adopt the 'Red Crystal'

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About half a year ago, the countries which signed the Geneva Treaty approved the red crystal symbol in spite of Syria's strong opposition. The new symbol combines the red cross, crescent and Star of David and is another universal symbol for the rescue organizations, which MDA will also be able to use.

The voting, which will be held in the coming weekend, constitutes a "second and third hearing" on the decision. MDA Chairman Dr. Noam Yifrach will head the MDA's delegation to Geneva.

According to Yifrach, "in the first voting, which took place a year ago, only the countries participated. In the second voting, about 190 countries and another 190 Red Cross associations operating in those countries will take part, and in the third voting, expected to be held on the same day or the day after, only Red Cross associations will take part. The vote is on changing the Red Cross regulations and introducing the red crystal."

Using the red crystal symbol would enable MDA to take part in international rescue operations and in additional activities overseas.

"Under the red crystal symbol, we will be able to treat Israeli prisoners in countries such as Thailand or in North America and attend to Israeli captives," Yifrach explained.

Special PR delegations

According to Yifrach, MDA is already using the red crystal sign with a Star of David inside of it in all of its international operations.

In the past few months, MDA changed its regulations to reflect the Red Cross' principles. It added a clause prohibiting religious, racial or sexual discrimination, the number of its volunteers was increased and changes were made in order to almost completely disconnect the organization from the government. Today the governmental influence on MDA is minimal.

Another amendment MDA was required to implement was prohibiting its volunteers from carrying weapons.

According to Yifrach, about 70 Muslim countries oppose the proposal, alongside the support of the United States, European countries, China and Japan. A majority of two-thirds is needed in order to approve the red crystal symbol, and at the moment this does not seem certain.

"If the approval does not pass in the voting we will be disappointed that such an honorable organization is not merging us into its ranks. I hope the voters will be reasonable and recognize the fact that MDA has a right to join this organization like any other country," he said.

Ahead of the crucial voting, the World Jewish Congress sent to Geneva a special PR delegation comprised of Jewish students from around the world. The delegation will also include 10 young Jewish diplomats. The delegates will try and convince the assembly members to vote in favor of merging the MDA into the Red Cross.

According to WJC director of Future Generations Peleg Reshef, head of the PR delegation to Geneva, "this is the first activity of its kind in which young Jewish leaders are being recruited in a bid to influence their countries' decision making process, while taking part in an historical event with far-reaching political and humanitarian ramifications on the Jewish world and Israel's citizens."