Magen David Adom Admitted to IRC

[Scaramedic]

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[align=center:dacfba044e]MAGEN DAVID ADOM ADMITTED INTO INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETY [/align:dacfba044e]

[align=center:dacfba044e]After 57 years of waiting, Israeli and Palestinian Emergency Services are admitted into the International Red Cross[/align:dacfba044e]

[align=center:dacfba044e]New York -- June 22, 2006 In a historic moment, American Friends of Magen David Adom (Website) are proud to announce the admittance of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s first-aid and disaster relief organization, into the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society. The decision , which took place in Geneva, Switzerland at the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent voted to accept both the Palestinian Red Crescent and Magen David Adom. Both organizations are now full voting members, and received crucial funding to assist in their life-saving work.

“This is a historic moment for Magen David Adom and for Israel, as well as for the Palestinian people,” said Executive VP Daniel Allen. “We hope that this acceptance will lead to a new era in Middle East humanitarian cooperation. It is a triumph for those who put human life over sectarian politics. ”

The MDA has been working side by side with the International Red Cross for years, responding with state-of-the-art technology, expertise and emergency services to global disasters like that of Katrina last year on the US Gulf Coast and Tsunami relief in Southeast Asia. MDA responds to 600,000 calls a year throughout the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Magen David Adom is committed to its continuing work with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to save lives in both Israel and in the Palestinian Territory.

“While nothing has changed for MDA on the ground, we are satisfied that this long overdue recognition will make our job easier and allow us to fulfill the Jewish mitzvah of saving lives around the world, by opening doors to us that have been closed for so long,” says Allen.

Israel’s MDA experts have trained numerous members of the International Red Cross as well as the Palestinian Red Crescent in everything from essential first-aid to complex trauma treatment. Even while holding observer status, Israel has been able and willing to participate in vital international relief missions coordinated by the International Red Cross to countries such as India, Turkey, and the United States. This along with the close relationship between American Friends of Magen David Adom and the American Red Cross will remain unchanged.

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Congrats to MDA, this was way overdue.

Peace,

Marty

:joker:

[paramedicmike]

It is about time.

However, don't expect to see the star of david in their symbol. That's what kept them out for so long...the red crescent objected to such a blatant Isreali symbol. (Different topic altogether. I'm not here to start a debate.)

It's now the red cross, red crescent and red crystal. Maybe all can play more nicely in this organization than their respective national political movements can.

-be safe.