Operation Recognition (1978)

Operation Recognition (1978)

The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) requires the use of one of its three official emblems: the Red Cross, the Red Crescent (used by Muslim countries) or the Red Lion and Sun (the symbol of Iran).

Since 1949, the Magen David Adom Society (Red Star of David) in Israel has sought admission into the League of Red Cross Societies but has been rejected repeatedly.

In October, 1977, Magen David Adom was granted official observer status at the 23rd International Red Cross Conference, which is convened every four years. A nine nation working group was established at this Conference to report in 1981 with a proposal for a single Red Cross emblem.

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism commends the International Red Cross for the steps it has already taken to ameliorate the position of Magen David Adom. However, we recognize the fact that the need still exists to apply pressure and persuasion if Israel is in fact to be welcomed into the ICRC. Therefore, we urge all Sisterhoods to support Operation Recognition which was organized as a world-wide effort to mobilize public opinion for the admission of Magen David Adom into the League of Red Cross Societies by:

1. Circulating petitions which are available from Operation Recognition, 1 East 42nd Street – Suite 805, New York, NY 10017;
2. Urging local American Red Cross societies to adopt resolutions showing their support and to send these resolutions to Operation Recognition;
3. Writing letters of support to the editors of local newspapers and magazines.

Amended Resolution Operation Recognition (1986)

The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) requires the use of one of its three official emblems: the Red Cross, the Red Crescent (used by Muslim countries) or the Red Lion and Sun (the symbol of Iran).

Since 1949, the Magen David Adom Society (Red Star of David) in Israel has sought admission into the League of Red Cross Societies but has been rejected repeatedly, although Magen David Adom fulfills nine of the ten criteria for admission more than adequately, with only the matter of the emblem keeping it out of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement.

On October 27, 1986, at their quadrennial Geneva Convention, in spite of many years of negotiation, petition and protest, the International Red Cross movement has again failed to admit Magen David Adom. Further, the official title has been changed to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a de facto recognition of Muslim symbols.

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism urges all Affiliates to support Operation Recognition, which was organized as a worldwide effort to mobilize public opinion for the admission of Magen David Adom into the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, by:

1. Circulating petitions which are available from Operation Recognition, 17720 N. Bay Road – Suite 8D, Miami Beach, FL 33160;
2. Urging local chapters of the American Red Cross (which does recognize Magen David Adom) to publicly express their support for Operation Recognition;
3. Using the media to educate the public as to the injustice of this denial of recognition;
4. Writing to Alexandre Hay, President, International Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland, urging the competent authorities and institutions of the International Red Cross to find a way to bring the Magen David Adom Society into full recognition as a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent world family.