Last-ditch bid to clear obstacle to Israel joining Red Cross-Haaretz

[Coastie for Truth]

Israeli and Syrian diplomats worked Wednesday to overcome a major obstacle to allowing the Jewish state to join the Red Cross movement.

Delegates to a special conference of the 192 members of the Geneva Conventions were meeting again Wednesday after it was extended for a third day.

"It's going to be a long day," said Swiss Ambassador Blaise Godet, who is chairing the conference, which was originally scheduled to conclude on Tuesday.

Approval of a new emblem allowing Israel to join the Red Cross movement after nearly six decades of exclusion has been held up by Syria's demand that its humanitarian workers have access to the occupied Golan Heights.

Personal Statement by Appender:

I harbor no animosity towards the Honourable Bashar Al Sha'Ar, Syria's minister in charge of Red Crescent affairs. He is a dedicated humanitarian who is carrying out the will of his Government.

I will continue to provide humanitarian disaster services through the American Red Cross to all, without regard to race, religion, nationality, etc.

[Coastie for Truth]

1. Red Cross approves new emblem, allowing Israel to join - Haaretz

FOLLOW UP

The Red Cross and Red Crescent movements on Wednesday gained an additional emblem that paves the way for Israel to join the global relief network after nearly six decades of exclusion.

The 192 signatories of the Geneva Conventions approved the new "red crystal" emblem - a diamond-shaped red crystal on a white background - into which the Red Star of David of the Israeli relief agency Magen David Adom (MDA) can be placed.

"I can inform you that the protocol has just been adopted," said Didier Pfirter, a Swiss diplomat who has been coordinating global efforts to muster support for the new emblem.

The new emblem is one that, for instance, Israeli paramedics could use during combat in place of the red cross or Muslim red crescent.

Adopted by majority but not unanimous.

[bemildred]

2. Not a shining day for humanitarianism, but at least they got it passed. nt

[Coastie for Truth]

3. Enlightened self interest

Take a look at the "Earthquake" maps -- not as active as the Pacific "Rim of Fire" - but the area is seismically active. -- note the red line along the eastern littoral of the Mediterranean.

If you live in/have lived in California or Japan or Indonesia -- you can become agoraphobic over earthquakes. They are a fact of life.

[bemildred]

5. Yep. Volcanoes, rift valleys, quite a collision going on.

The Jordan Valley wasn't formed by runoff.

[IndianaGreen]

4. This is total BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can have symbols representing Christianity and Islam but we can't have that represents Judaism! Well, there is a name for that where I come from, and it is called racism and anti-Semitism. Israel should have told ICRC to get fucked in the ass!

Crystal joins Cross and Crescent

A diamond-shaped red crystal on a white background is to join the Red Cross and the Red Crescent as an emblem for ambulances and relief workers.

Geneva Convention member states voted by a two-thirds majority for the symbol, ending a decades-old row and opens the way for Israel to join.

Israel had been denied entry because its Red Shield was not approved.

Relief workers and ambulances bearing the Red Cross or Red Crescent symbols are protected under international law.

A spokesman for the Swiss government told reporters it was unfortunate that the crystal had not been adopted by consensus.

The Red Shield of David - or Magen David Adom - was not recognised by the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and Arab states had blocked attempts to find an alternative symbol.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4508858.stm

[bemildred]

6. Amazingly petty shit, it is. That 'crystal" is dippy looking, too. nt

[Coastie for Truth]

7. In the little coal mining village where my dad was born

(and where they didn't have indoor plumbing until the 1940's) - a "crescent over the door" signified ..... (oh well, if you're from Appalachia you can fill it in)

(No insult, mocking or derogation intended, and I apologize if such is inferred -- but that's life in the coal patches of West Virginia and South Western Pennsylvania)