ENGEL PRAISES RED CROSS FOR INCLUDING ISRAEL
Red Crystal to be the Non Denominational Symbol for Israeli Humanitarian Assistance
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), senior Member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East, has praised the decision to make Israel a permanent member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
“After decades of exclusion, I am very pleased that Israel’s Magen David Adom will take its rightful place among other humanitarian groups in the International Committee of the Red Cross. In times of crisis, we need such organized and efficient groups such as Magen David Adom, and the ICRC was right to finally take action to include Israel as a fully participating ICRC nation. We were able to break ground recently by creating a ‘Red Crystal’ symbol, which Israel and other countries can use on humanitarian vehicles and facilities if they prefer not to use a cross or crescent designation.”
Last week, as part of a Congressional Delegation to Geneva, Congressman Engel met with ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger to discuss Magen David Adom’s recognition and inclusion. “I would like to extend my gratitude to President Kellenberger who worked for many years to finally create a Red Crystal which will be mutually beneficial for both Israel and the countries it serves. The Red Crystal will soon evoke the same sense of safety and security that the Red Cross and Red Crescent have meant for generations.”
Unfortunately, the change in Geneva was not adopted by a complete consensus, as Syria and several Arab League countries stubbornly refused to vote for the non-sectarian, purely humanitarian Red Crystal. Engel stated, “I must commend the Swiss for moving forward firmly on this issue. While it is a sad moment that Syria and the Arab League countries continue to refuse to recognize Israel or its humanitarian society, I am heartened by those countries who are ready to include Israel as a global partner and welcome the contribution of Magen David Adom.”
"I am also very proud of the role of the American Red Cross in pressing for the adoption of the Third Protocol, which authorized the Red Crystal. They worked very hard and are part of the reason that Magen David Adom is now a full member of the International Red Cross movement," said Rep. Engel.
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