New Red Cross Symbol Prelude to Israel’s Entry
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A new Red Cross emblem was accepted at an international conference, paving the way for Israel to join the humanitarian movement after nearly six decades of exclusion.
The 192 signatories of the Geneva Conventions approved the “red crystal” emblem 98 to 27, with the rest abstaining or absent, after negotiations between Israel and Syria over humanitarian access to Syrians in the Golan Heights broke down.
Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service will not operate under the Christian cross or Muslim crescent. A request for recognition of its red Star of David emblem was rejected in 1949, and Arab countries had blocked attempts to find an alternative. Another vote is required to finalize Israel’s membership.
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