The American Red Cross and the Magen David Adom

The American Red Cross is a proud supporter of the Magen David Adom (MDA), the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross. These two organizations have enjoyed a strong relationship of mutual assistance since the MDA’s founding more than 70 years ago. This relationship was formalized in November of 2002, when the American Red Cross and the MDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding that includes a focus on preparedness for weapons of mass destruction attacks, biomedical services and international tracing and family reunification services.

Since 1949, the MDA has been denied admission to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement because it uses the red shield, or star, of David as its emblem. Instead, the MDA has been relegated to observer status, without a vote. Since 2000, in continued protest of the non-admission of the MDA into the Movement, the American Red Cross has withheld dues to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its voluntary headquarters contributions to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

At the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva in 2003, the Movement adopted a resolution affirming their commitment to find lasting solutions to issues surrounding the Movement’s emblems. The resolution calls for a convening of the diplomatic conference as soon as circumstances permit. This is a very positive step. It is now up to the Swiss government to convene a meeting to resolve this issue.

The American Red Cross strongly advocates that the Movement grant full recognition and membership to the Magen David Adom.

ARC/GNY Employee Experiences Red Cross Internationally

By Sasha Pinero, Senior Coordinator Youth Services
Volunteer Resources Department, American Red Cross in Greater New York

During my recent trip to attend a two-week long conference called “Protecting Human Dignity: Youth Response to Disaster” in a small town called Netanya in Israel, I was not only exposed to the phenomenal work of our Red Cross counterpart Magen David Adom and to the beautiful country of Israel, but I was also given a renewed sense of the American Red Cross from an intentional perspective as well as a better understanding of the network of National Societies that make up the Red Cross Movement and the Fundamental Principles that bind us all.

I met numerous Magen David Adom volunteers as well as thirty delegates representing eight countries, including Bulgaria, Denmark, Jordan, Norway, Uganda, UK, USA, and Israel. Magen David Adom (MDA) in Israel, established in 1930, specializes in emergency disaster relief and is fully equipped with ambulances and mobile intensive care units. MDA also operates a blood bank, has First Aid stations throughout the country, offers basic First Aid training to the public, and conducts tracing services that reunite missing family members and loved ones. Although MDA has not been fully recognized by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, they have several longstanding relationships with various Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies throughout the world, including a formalized Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2002 with our own American Red Cross. This agreement focuses on collaborations on special projects such as international tracing, biomedical services and disaster preparedness.

Disaster preparedness was one of the primary focuses of the conference and we discussed international youth activity in responding to mass casualty incidents and disasters of all kinds. Listening to personal accounts of the most pressing humanitarian needs in various countries was one of the greatest benefits I received. Living in a country at war with itself was a concept that was unknown to me until I spoke with one Red Cross worker from Uganda who feared for her life each time she went to distribute disaster supplies to those in the northern part of the country. And no words could describe the images that are permanently ingrained into my mind after watching a video taken by the second responding MDA unit on the scene just minutes after a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. When I asked the delegates what the motivating factor behind these amazing acts was, the answer was always the same: their faith and understanding of the Fundamental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Being part of an organization that shines the brightest during the bleakest of times is not something everyone can claim. In the most dismal of times, we are there not only to give a meal or blanket, but also to give people hope. Throughout my time at the conference, the message was always the same: whether our jackets are emblazed with a red cross, a red crescent, or a red star, we are one family, with one set of principles, and one mission that binds us all: to relieve suffering throughout the world.