Israel moves closer to joining Red Cross

Switzerland

Israel moved closer to its long- delayed entry into the Red Cross movement yesterday as Israeli and Palestinian affiliates of the global humanitarian group recognized each other. The deal between Magen David Adom, or Red Shield of David, and the Palestinian Red Crescent eliminates a major obstacle to international acceptance of the “ red crystal” — a new symbol that would allow the Israeli group to operate without using the Christian cross or Muslim crescent. To protect its medics in combat conditions, the Israeli group has proposed using a square with a blank white interior and a thick red border standing on one corner.