Mazal tov to the MDA

Editorial

The long, bizarre saga of Magen David Adom's attempts to be included in the international Red Cross movement is apparently over.

The Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) is the Israeli equivalent of the national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies that have, since 1863, provided first aid and humanitarian service to people in pain and danger.

The Red Crescent was adopted as an alternative symbol in the 19th century, to serve primarily Muslim societies for whom the Red Cross was said to evoke the Crusades. Zionists petitioned to have the Magen David Adom accepted as a legitimate partner to the cross and crescent, but a compromise was found that is somewhat ambiguous.

An alternative symbol – the red crystal – is a red-rimmed white square that Israel (or, theoretically, other countries) could use alone or in conjunction with the red star of David, red cross or red crescent.

The conclusion, if that is what this represents, is not exactly evenhanded. The symbol of Jewish identity – the star of David – is not recognized as a stand-alone symbol in the way that the Christian and Muslim symbols are recognized. But it does seem to have garnered a consensus among Israelis and others, including the international movement, to recognize a parity of sorts. The new symbol coincides with the first time Israel has actually been granted formal membership in the international body.

Another compromise was also agreed to that day. Just as the Israeli Magen David Adom was accepted as a full-fledged member of the international society, so was the Palestine Red Crescent society. To do so, the international federation had to pass a special resolution overriding the rule that member societies must operate in sovereign states.

^TOP