Silly Israeli dhimmitude from Israel Insider, with thanks to K.:
Red Cross partner organizations of Israel and the Palestinian Authority have reached an understanding on a proposed new symbol that could help pave the way for the Jewish state's entry into the Red Cross movement, officials said Friday.The Israeli society known as the Magen David Adom, or Red Shield of David, will sign a deal with the Palestinian Red Crescent in Geneva on Monday securing acceptance of the "red crystal" - a new emblem the international aid agency is considering to recognize alongside the red cross and red crescent, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said.
The agreement will help pave the way for the acceptance of the new emblem by the 192 countries that have signed the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of warfare when they meet in special session Dec. 5-6 in Geneva, said the ministry, which is hosting the conference.
Israel has been denied membership in the humanitarian movement for nearly six decades because it rejects the red cross used in most countries and the red crescent preferred by Muslim countries. The Palestinian society only has observer status because it is not under the jurisdiction of a recognized state.
"The route is now open for the adoption of the 'red crystal'," Noam Iftah, president of Magen David Adom, said in an interview with the Geneva daily Le Temps. In return, he explained, the Magen David Adom would recognize the Palestinian group's unique capacity to operate in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Instead of a red Star of David that the Israeli society uses to identify ambulances and medical workers at home, Israel has proposed that the Magen David Adom could use the new emblem to protect medics in armed combat. The new emblem is called a red crystal by its proponents.
It is a square standing on one corner, with a blank white interior and a thick red border.
"Here we have the chance to rectify an injustice that has gone on for too long," said Itzhak Levanon, Israel's ambassador to the U.N.'s European headquarters.
Sure. By groveling.
How about a red smiley face?
How about no more checks to Magen Adom from me? This is utterly ridiculous. At least before the entire world could see how racist the Red Cross was. Now, we just look like idiots.
"Instead of a red Star of David that the Israeli society uses to identify ambulances and medical workers at home, Israel has proposed that the Magen David Adom could use the new emblem to protect medics in armed combat. The new emblem is called a red crystal by its proponents."
Just wondering how much of an issue the symbol really is as opposed to questions of secondary membership status. Does MDA provide services anywhere outside of Israel's borders, other than, perhaps in the disputed territories?
"Israel has been denied membership in the humanitarian movement for nearly six decades because it rejects the red cross used in most countries and the red crescent preferred by Muslim countries."
well then would that mean that Israel has denied up to now the two other signs - cross and crescent. hard to believe, please explain. who denied to whom the right of using its own sign for 6 decades? I thoght it was the international red cross denying that right to israelis ...
The Pali's respect no symbols.
They used the ambulance cars before
to carry weapons and they will do so in the future.
Those driving these vehicles will be at risk either way: If they don't give in to the Arab's demands they will be killed, and if they do, the Israeli's will fry 'em, and rightly so.
Any volunteers?
What?. I thought it was only the Muslims who rejected the Red Cross symbol. I know of no instance where western nations, nor Christians, have rejected either the Red Mogen David or Red Crescent, but here we have Muslims and Jews rejecting each other and the Red Cross as well.
Hmm,
now that it is pointed out, I have to admit that
I always thought the cross was to symbolise a plaster.
%-)
Imli
Ps.: Other than minor cooperate branding dilemmas, those people have no other pressing problems, eh?
Not only is Israel required to abandon the Red Star of David to be accepted into the international Red Cross, but it has to agree to allow Red Crescent ambulances into Israel without going through the humiliation of security checks - even though there's ample proof that these vehicles have been used to transport explosives, weapons and homicide bombers!
You say a square standing on its corner, blank inside with a read boarder? Will it go on the backs of the Jewish personal? Right about where their hearts are? Like a bullseye? Mmmmm.....
This is absolutely petty that an organization would be denied the symbol of its own choice by outsiders. Then again, it was only Muslims who rejected the red cross as a symbol.
Buddhist and Hindu countries like Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal have no problems with a red cross and no sensible person would consider the red cross an exclusively Christian symbol any more than the medical caduces is a pagan Greek or Jewish symbol.
Hindus don't insist on a Red Swastik and Buddhist don't insist on a red chakra. But if Jews want to use a red Magen David, then it is their right to do so. My only wonder in them rejecting the red cross is why they want to act like Muslims.