The Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom

Below you can read about the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Magen David Adom (MDA), who are both members of the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies.

Read more about the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS)

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), established in 1968, provides a wide range of health, social, and other humanitarian services for the Palestinian People throughout the Middle East. The PRCS was an observer member of the International federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies until June 2006 when it became a full member.

To the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS)

Magen David Adom (MDA)

In Israel, Magen David Adom (MDA) has been active since 1930. The Magen David Adom is Israel’s only official emergency medical and ambulance service. Since the State of Israel chose to use the Red Shield of David as an emblem instead of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent, recognized in the four Geneva Conventions, the MDA only had a status as an observer member of the International Federation. In June 2006, Israel adopted a new emblem - the Red Crystal - which allowed it to become a member.

To Magen David Adom (MDA) (in Hebrew)

The Red Crystal

Over the years, there have been several attempts to find a solution and be able to include MDA in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Israel made the following reservation in connection with the ratification of the conventions: “…while respecting the inviolability of the distinctive signs and emblems of the Convention, Israel will use the Red Shield of David as the emblem and distinctive sign of the medical services of her armed forces.” (Final Record of the Diplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949, Vol. I, p. 348)

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement welcomed the decision of the Diplomatic Conference held in Geneva in December 2005 to adopt a third protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions, creating another emblem alongside the red cross and the red crescent. This has made it possible for the MDA to become a member. The third additional protocol entered into force on the 14 January 2007.

Symbols linked to the The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The red lion has not been used since 1980. In a diplomatic note, the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated that the red crescent would be used instead.