Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) applauded the unanimous Senate approval late yesterday of the Geneva Distinctive Emblems Protection Act, legislation that will pave the way for use of the Red Crystal, the new neutral emblem for Magen David Adom. With this vote, the United States has taken a step required of all International Red Cross member nations to provide legal protections for the Red Crystal emblem as part of implementation of the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. Senator Clinton, a champion of Magen David Adom’s adoption into the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, pressed for the Senate to consider and approve this legislation.

“I am proud that the United States has taken the lead in approving this important legislation. MDA’s inclusion in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been one of my top priorities as a Senator and it has been a long struggle for the MDA toward justice. It is past time that the MDA receive long overdue recognition of the selfless and desperately needed humanitarian service it provides without bias,” said Senator Clinton.

The Third Additional Protocol was approved in Geneva by member states of the International Red Cross in December 2005, providing the means for Israel’s Magen David Adom to join the International Red Cross. Following 57 years of rejection, the International Red Cross Movement in May approved changes to its statute accepting a neutral emblem and included Israel’s Magen David Adom in the International Red Cross. The approval of legal protections for the Red Crystal emblem by the governments of each International Red Cross member nation is the final step needed before implementation of the new emblem.

“In partnership with the American Red Cross, Senator Clinton has been a strong and engaged leader in support of Magen David Adom’s acceptance into the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Adopting the Geneva Distinctive Emblems Protection Act is absolutely critical to ensure that the United States has in place legal protections for the Red Crystal emblem, as required by the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. Passage of this legislation reinforces strong and historic U.S. leadership on this issue and I thank Senator Clinton for her tireless efforts and her unyielding commitment to move this critical bill through the Senate,” said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the American Red Cross.

“We congratulate the US Senate for certifying the Red Crystal as a symbol of the International Red Cross. Approval of the symbol enabled Israel’s Magen David Adom to finally become a full member of the International Committee of the Red Cross. We thank Senator Hillary Clinton for her leadership and support in making this a reality and helping us to overturn 57 years of historical injustice,” said Daniel R. Allen, Executive Vice President, American Friends of Magen David Adom.

Senator Clinton has been a strong advocate of Magen David Adom’s inclusion in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Senator Clinton urged the Bush Administration to submit to the Senate the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. Senator Clinton, along with Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), secured unanimous Senate passage in August of a Senate Resolution congratulating MDA for achieving full membership in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Last November, Senator Clinton visited MDA’s offices in Jerusalem and was briefed about the important humanitarian work that they perform, both in Israel and the world.

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