International Red Cross Discriminates
Against Israeli “Red Cross”

Despite its valorous track record, the Magen David Adom Society is not recognized by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This is because it is unwilling to adopt the Red Cross or Red Crescent as its emblem, choosing rather to use the Red Shield of David, whose use in the field of humanitarian relief dates to 1930.

The symbol of the Red Cross, the inverted flag of Switzerland, does not have an inherent religious significance. However, when in 1929, Islamic states insisted on the inclusion of the emblem of the Red Crescent, the juxtaposed emblems of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent came to have a religious implication.

As a result, short of adopting either emblem, the Magen David Adom is excluded from membership to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Since 1993, UN Watch has systematically lobbied the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at their Geneva headquarters, as well as the American Red Cross, to urge them to admit the Magen David Adom to the international fraternity. Furthermore, the Chairman of UN Watch, Ambassador Morris Abram, is one of eighteen experts appointed by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and charged with finding a favorable resolution to the emblem issue.

In times of conflict, the Red Shield of David has "customary" recognition as the emblem used by the medical services of the armed forces. Under international humanitarian law it must be respected in the same way as the Red Cross or the Red Crescent.

The humanitarian work carried out by the Magen David Adom and other National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is too important to be enmeshed in politics. The Magen David Adom is an organization whose effectiveness, honor and integrity are globally recognized. The fact that its choice of emblem bans it from membership in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is untenable.

The ethical cornerstone of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a shared desire to ensure that civilization operates morally and compassionately, particularly during times of war. Israel, as much as any country, deserves to be included within that circle of civilization.