Israel is set to join the Red Cross after nearly six decades

[Behind the Aegis]

Israel is set to join the Red Cross movement after nearly six decades of exclusion, despite attempts by Muslim countries to derail a complex diplomatic initiative based on the creation of a new emblem.

The two-day International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, opening Tuesday, is being asked to approve changes to meet Israeli demands that it be granted full status without using the cross or crescent to identify
itself.

At the center of the plan is a neutral emblem - a blank square standing on one corner - that could frame the red Star of David of the Israeli rescue society Magen David Adom.

The emblem - dubbed the "red crystal" - was approved over Muslim objections in a hard-fought diplomatic conference last December.


more...

[BayCityProgressive]

1. Good!

I am glad to hear this. Shows you the misplaced priorities of the Muslim Fundementalists...Israeli money could be used to help thousands of people but they oppose it simply because they are Jewish. Ridiculous. They will do anything to deny Israel status as a nation.

[Terran1212]

4. You should've actually read the article

The Israelis are the ones asking for no red "cross or crescent"; Israel is a Jewish state.

[Jim Sagle]

5. Actually YOU should've read it.

The emblem dispute has roots in the 19th century, shortly after the Red Cross was formed by Swiss humanitarians to provide aid to victims of warfare. Muslim societies joining the movement objected to using the red cross because it reminded them of the Christian crusaders, even though the movement assured them that the emblem was simply a reversal of the colors of the Swiss flag without any religious overtones.

Provision was then made to allow the use of the red crescent.But by the time Israel was on the scene in 1949, the movement balked at admitting yet another emblem - this time a red star of David - and Israel was left on the sidelines.

[Terran1212]

6. And that changes Israel's refusal now how?

[Jim Sagle]

7. Step by step...

the movement balked at admitting yet another emblem

Got that? THE RED CROSS MOVEMENT balked. The RED CROSS refused to let Israel use its symbol. It wasn't Israel that did the refusing.

I hope this clears it up for you.

[Isere]

2. It's about time!

Sometimes, if you can live long enough to see it, the right thing happens.

[mikelgb]

3. link to symbols:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Crystal

[Andromeda]

8. That's fantastic!

[Vidar]

9. Seems like a good idea.

[denverbill]

10. Ridiculous. Let's start over with no Red Cross or Crescent.

It's retarded to have a different 'Red Cross' flag for every religion. The Red Cross isn't a religious organization.

Scrap the original Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Red Crystal and start over with a symbol that is religiously neutral.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. Maybe a pill. The Red Pill.

[northzax]

19. the Red Cross is religiously neutral

it is simply an inversion of the flag of Switzerland.

[David__77]

11. I don't agree with this.

International organizations should not take a stand in this manner until a comprehensive peace settlement has been achieved. At the least, they should only recognize Israeli sovereignty in its pre-1976 borders, per UN resolutions.

[BayCityProgressive]

14. oh you mean like Palestine DOESN'T do?

they don't even admit to Israel's right to exist. Just like many of the zealots on this board.

[kamtsa]

16. Why didn' t they accepted Israel *before* 1967?

They had 19 years to do so from 1948 to 1967.

This is a clear case of antisemitism.

[Eugene]

12. Reuters: Israeli, Palestinian agencies face Red Cross hurdle

Israeli, Palestinian agencies face Red Cross hurdle
Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:33pm ET

By Laura MacInnis

GENEVA (Reuters) - A bid by Israeli and Palestinian emergency services to join the world's
biggest relief agency hit a hurdle on Tuesday when several Muslim states pushed for changes
to a deal clearing the way to their entry.

Pakistan and Tunisia argued that last December's pact should have spelt out that all the
occupied territories -- including East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights -- were under the
jurisdiction of the Palestinian relief agency.

Their amendment, unacceptable to Israel and its supporters, came at a closed-door conference
of the 192 signatory states to the Geneva Conventions and 183 national Red Cross and Red
Crescent societies, called to let both relief services join.

"They are pretty significant changes," said one diplomatic source.

<snip>

Full article: http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-06-20T173306Z_01_L20912647_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-REDCROSS.xml

[geek tragedy]

15. Golan Heights under the Palestinian agency?

Wow, I wonder how the Syrians feel about that.

[Eugene]

17. Syria is apparently leading this protest

according to this VOA article:

Israel, Palestinians to Join Red Cross, Red Crescent

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
20 June 2006

<snip>

Delegates here do not expect a smooth ride. Syria is leading a group
of Muslim states that plan to confront the Red Cross movement over
attempts to introduce a third humanitarian emblem.

Israel has already ruled out the Syrian Red Crescent from operating there.

[geek tragedy]

18. So much pettiness over medical aid.

Then again, this is Israel/Palestine . . .