So the International Committee of the Red Cross voted today (by a tally of 98 to 27 with 10 abstentions) to recognize the red crystal thingy as an official symbol, thus paving the way for Israel to join the ICRC as a full member. The adoption of the neutral, non-religious symbol, you see, allows Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service to function internationally without displaying the offensive Magen David Adom (Red Shield of David). There must be no Jewish symbol allowed alongside the Red Cross and Red Crescent, so without the convenient Red Crystal thingy, no membership for Israel. Yet, there is a small (and I mean tiny) exception (a lot more detail here).
Any country can adopt the red crystal symbol, according to the ICRC Web site. The cross, crescent or crystal must be used alone for what is termed "protective'' use, to safeguard relief workers. In addition, other symbols, such as Israel's red shield, can be used within its national territory, while it can be used on foreign territory only if it is displayed inside the red crystal, and by agreement with the other nation.
Meanwhile, Israel's membership in the ICRC is still not a done deal. According to the ADL,
This vote does not automatically lead to MDA's membership in the ICRC. A number of organizational bodies must adopt the changes and vote to officially recognize MDA, including the 181-member International General Assembly, which must approve the changes with a two-thirds vote.
Meryl's got this exactly right. She's done quite a bit of homework, too. And while Israel is swallowing this slap in the face in the interest of facilitating her own humanitarian efforts toward the rest of the world (think about that for a minute), we shouldn't mistake it for "acceptance" by the ICRC. Grudging toleration, maybe, but no more.
Imagine a club that, after decades of discrimination, allows Jews to join on the condition that they refrain from revealing their Jewishness in any way. "We'll let you in as long as you promise not to remind us that you're a Jew."
Israel truly does occupy the position among (most of) the nations that the Jews have always occupied among (most of) the Gentiles.
Update: this column at Ynet is excellent.
Make the "Red Crystal" the new symbol of the entire organization. Make every emergency services agency use the crystal as the main symbol, and let everyone put their own preferred national or religious symbol inside. That's really the only way to be fair.
Uh, yeah.
