American Red Cross Statement Regarding the Historic Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Magen David Adom, the Israeli Equivalent of the Red Cross

WASHINGTON, Monday, November 28, 2005 — The American Red Cross welcomed today's signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Israeli and Palestinian National Societies. The signing took place in Geneva at a ceremony presided by the Swiss Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey and in the presence of representatives of the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority. In addition to the MOU, the two Societies also signed an agreement on operational arrangements that will help ensure cooperation when carrying out their respective humanitarian mandates.

The American Red Cross contributed to today's achievement by working with both National Societies during the negotiations. The execution of this MOU will greatly aid in achieving adoption of the Third Additional Protocol at next week's Diplomatic Conference in Geneva, and, ultimately, MDA's membership in the Movement.

The American Red Cross has worked for MDA's admission for close to 50 years and since 2000 has withheld over $35 million in dues to the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the hope of spurring the diplomatic process that appears near fruition. For more information on this issue, please visit http://www.redcross.org/mda/.