After 60 years, Red Cross opens its doors to Israel
The Red Cross humanitarian movement Thursday admitted the Israeli society that had been left waiting for nearly 60 years, resolving a longstanding concern over Crusaders, crosses and crescents.
With a round of applause, the international Red Cross federation admitted Israel's Magen David Adom society simultaneously with the Palestine Red Crescent. An optional new emblem was adopted so that Israel could retain its red star of David instead of having to adopt the red cross or crescent used by the 184 other societies in the global movement.
"This is an extraordinarily exciting evening," said Bonnie McElveen Hunter, chairman of the American Red Cross, which had been campaigning for years for the Israeli society's admission. "This has been going on for 58 long years. It's time. It's overdue."
It certainly is. But note: the "Palestine Red Crescent" will be permitted to use the religious symbol of Islam -- the Crescent. While the Magen David Adom will be required to use the non-religious symbol of nothing -- the Crystal. In those countries that aren't offended by Jewish symbolism, the Crystal will be permitted to contain a tiny Magen David (Shield/Star of David). In those countries that are offended (and there are many), it won't.
Somehow, I'm missing the symmetry here. But it gets worse. Because, although today marked the formal admission of the "Palestine" Red Crescent, the Red Crescent has been recognized as an official symbol of the International Committee of the Red Cross since 1949.
And here's another difference: Israel (the only country in which MDA operates) is a country. "Palestine" is a _____? (fill in the blank)
In other words, the symmetry is totally bogus.
Update: Soccer Dad has more.
