President Bush signs Red Crystal Legislation Creating New Emblem with Protections Under US Law

WASHINGTON, Thursday, January 18, 2007 — On January 12, 2007, President Bush signed historic legislation that recognized the newly adopted “Red Crystal” emblem as a neutral and impartial symbol of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This critical legislation established legal protections in US law to prevent the misuse of the Red Crystal and Red Crescent emblems in the United States and affirming their humanitarian purpose.

One of the benefits of the Red Crystal emblem is that it is devoid of political, cultural and political connotations and can be used by National Societies worldwide when a neutral symbol may be more appropriate. The American Red Cross will continue using its well-known name and emblem. As security and coordination require, the American Red Cross may consider exceptional use of the Red Crystal in our overseas humanitarian operations.

In December 2005, the Third Additional Protocol was adopted by States, creating a third distinctive emblem – the Red Crystal – to join the existing Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems. The creation of the Red Crystal and related decisions cleared the path for acceptance of Magen David Adom (MDA) the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, and the Palestine Red Crescent Society to join the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which happened in June 2006.

For more than 50 years, the American Red Cross had considered the admission of MDA to the Red Cross Movement a policy priority and in June of 2000, in protest of non admission, the American Red Cross began withholding its dues to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. After MDA’s admission to the Movement in June 2006, the Red Cross began repaying its dues to the Federation. For more information on MDA, please visit http://www.redcross.org/mda/.

MDA will continue to use its existing emblem within Israel, and may use the star of David internationally as well by placing it within the Red Crystal. The Third Additional Protocol entered into force on January 14, 2007. The Red Crystal emblem can now be used worldwide by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross alleviates the suffering of victims of war, disaster and other international crises, and works with other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to improve chronic, life-threatening conditions in developing nations. We reconnect families separated by emergencies and educate the American public about international humanitarian law. This assistance is made possible through the generosity of the American public.