American Red Cross Support for Magen David Adom Membership
in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

June 2006	American Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter leads a delegation to visit MDA and PRCS in Tel Aviv and Ramallah to congratulate their staff and volunteers on their admission to the Movement and encourage their continued courageous cooperation.
June 2006	National Society members of the Federation unanimously approve the admission of MDA and the Palestine Red Crescent Society to membership in the Federation.
June 2006	Governments, national societies, the ICRC and the Federation meet in Geneva for the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. American Red Cross and US Government delegates join Movement leaders in strongly advocating for changes to the rules of the Movement that would allow for admission of MDA and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Delegations agree by a vote of 237 in favor, 54 against and 18 abstentions to update the rules regulating recognition and admission of new societies to take account of the Third Additional Protocol and pave the way for MDA and PRCS admission.
Dec 2005	The Swiss Government hosts a diplomatic conference to adopt the Third Additional Protocol. States Parties to the Geneva Conventions vote to adopt the Protocol by an overwhelming majority. Adoption of the Third Protocol by governments sets in motion a series of changes to the rules for emblems and recognizing new societies. Once these rules are changed (at the International Conference in June 2006) MDA will meet the criteria for recognition and their membership will be achieved following a 60% or greater majority vote for admission (of those societies present).
Nov 2005	MDA and Palestinian Red Crescent leaders sign a Memorandum of Understanding and operational agreement between the two societies facilitated by Ambassador Pfirter and Movement leaders. Leaders of both societies express their hopes that the MOU will serve to ensure adoption of the Third Additional Protocol and pave the way for admission of both societies.
Nov 2005	MDA participates in the statutory international meetings of the Movement in Seoul, Republic of Korea. American Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter meets with MDA President Noam Yifrach and MDA Friends Society President Uri Geller to coordinate efforts towards membership. Members of the Movement adopt a resolution strongly supporting adoption of the Third Additional Protocol to resolve emblem issues.
Nov 2005	The Swiss Government sends out a convocation notice to governments scheduling the Diplomatic Conference for December 5-7, 2005.
Oct 2005	Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Ray travels to the Middle East to meet with government leaders to encourage adoption of the Third Additional Protocol.  Ambassador Pfirter and Foreign Minister Calmy-Ray hold a joint meeting with the Chairman of MDA and President of the Palestine Red Crescent and agree to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding between the two societies.  American Red Cross management meet with leaders of the two societies to encourage dialogue and negotiation of an agreement.
Sept 2005	Leaders of MDA and the Palestine Red Crescent meet with leadership of the Standing Commission, ICRC, Federation and Swiss Ambassador Pfirter in Geneva.  MDA Chairman Noam Yifrach pledges to recognize Palestine Red Crescent activities in the territories and to work to facilitate improved access for humanitarian services.
Sept 2005	Governments meet in Geneva to discuss the Protocol and timing of the Diplomatic Conference.  The U.S. delegation speaks strongly in favor of adopting the Third Additional Protocol without haste.  The majority of governments state their support for holding the Diplomatic Conference as soon as possible.  The Swiss Government concludes the meeting by noting its intention to hold the conference by the end of the year while agreeing to work in parallel to address concerns about operational issues related to national societies in the Middle East, while stating that resolution of these issues is not a condition for holding the Diplomatic Conference.
July 2005	The Swiss Government informs governments of the results of consultations on the Third Additional Protocol to date and schedules an informal consultation meeting for September 2005 in Geneva.
June 2005	Swiss Ambassador Pfirter solicits written feedback from governments on the modalities of holding the Diplomatic Conference by the end of the year.  Government feedback is overwhelmingly positive on holding the Diplomatic Conference.  U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice meets with Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Ray to encourage convening the Diplomatic Conference.
May 2005	A delegation from the Greater New York Chapter of the American Red Cross visits MDA in Israel to exchange information on preparedness for mass casualty disasters.  American Red Cross headquarters staff visit Israel and the Palestinian territories to encourage dialogue between the two societies and coordinate on diplomatic efforts to adopt the Third Additional Protocol.
May 2005	MDA Chairman Noam Yifrach and a delegation of MDA board members and management visit the American Red Cross in Washington, DC.  MDA and American Red Cross leaders discuss progress towards MDA recognition and membership and bilateral cooperation efforts.
March 2005	Responding to improvements in the political climate in the Middle East, the Swiss Government appoints Ambassador Didier Pfirter as its special representative to facilitate discussions among governments on the Third Additional Protocol.  Ambassador Pfirter begins consultations by visiting governments around the world to encourage consideration of holding the Diplomatic Conference to adopt the Protocol.
Jan 2005	Building on the strong operational collaboration established between MDA and components of the Movement in recent years, MDA responds to the Tsunami disaster in Asia by deploying relief and family tracing personnel and supplies to the region as a coordinated component of the Red Cross response for the first time. MDA staff provide immediate medical care, distribution of relief supplies and reconnect separated families under their emblem alongside Red Cross and Red Crescent responders.
Dec 2004	Leadership from the Greater New York Chapter of the American Red Cross travel to Israel to establish a partnership with the Jerusalem branch of Magen David Adom which will allow for exchanges among emergency management personnel and mutual capacity building efforts.
Oct 2004	The Emblem Working Group meets again in Geneva to share reports on diplomatic outreach to governments in support of the Third Protocol. Members develop an updated action plan for proceeding along the dual track process of building operational collaboration with MDA while seeking a permanent legal solution to the emblem problems.
May 2004	American Red Cross Vice President for International Services Gerry Jones attends the first meeting of the reconstituted Emblem Working. The group supports continued progress to extend all opportunities for participation to MDA which are available to other member societies and discusses initiatives to build support for convening the diplomatic conference of governments to adopt the Third Protocol to the Geneva Conventions on Emblems.
Dec 28, 2003	At the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent delegations from governments, national societies, the ICRC and Federation adopted a resolution affirming their commitment to find lasting solutions to issues surrounding the Movement's emblems and related laws, paving the way for MDA membership, through the adoption of a Third Protocol to the Geneva Conventions as soon as circumstances permit. Movement leaders also reported on the substantial progress made towards integrating MDA and offering opportunities to MDA to participate in all activities of the Movement. Future such tangible efforts at collaboration were ensured by adding this to the priorities in the Strategy for the Movement. A delegation from MDA actively participated in the meetings and used the opportunity to meet with many delegates from other national societies. American Red Cross Chairman David McLaughlin and President and CEO Marsha Evans each met with the MDA delegation to discuss ongoing collaboration and efforts to support their bid for recognition and membership.
Nov 2003	The American Red Cross cohosted the first ever Disaster Management Training for MDA with the ICRC and Federation. Participants from the Turkish Red Crescent, German Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross and British Red Cross shared their experiences with international disaster response and coordination. MDA managers and leadership learned about Movement mechanisms and tools for disaster preparedness and response, participated in a simulation exercise and discussed how to best leverage support from other societies, the ICRC and the Federation in the event of a large scale natural disaster within Israel.
May 2003	MDA leadership attends American Red Cross annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. August 2003 American Red Cross staff visit MDA to plan Disaster Preparation Simulation and Training and develop EOA as basis for strategic planning and joint program development.
May 2003	American Red Cross Vice President Gerry Jones attends the 4th Meeting of the Standing Commission's Working Group on the Emblem in Geneva. Working Group reviews progress towards increasing operational collaboration among MDA, the Federation and ICRC. Discussions focus on ways to craft the report to be presented to Council of Delegates and International Conference in December 2003 that leave all options open to take advantage of any last minute improvements in the regional and political situations.
Jan 2003	The 3rd Meeting of the Standing Commission's Working Group on the Emblem is held in Geneva. The working group agrees to “look forward with the aim of achieving substantial progress before the end of 2003”, while recognizing the difficulties posed by the current Middle East context.
Nov 2002	American Red Cross leaders visit the Middle East to meet with leaders of MDA, the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Jordan Red Crescent Society as well as International Red Cross counterparts to express support for their humanitarian activities. During these visits, American Red Cross Chairman David McLaughlin signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with MDA. Avi Zohar, Director General of MDA, travels to American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington DC to meet with President and CEO Marsha J. Evans and COO Alan McCurry.
Oct 2002	International Services Vice President Gerry Jones attends the second meeting of the international working group on the emblem. The American Red Cross supports the working group's decision to proceed with a dual track approach which encourages governments to move forward with a diplomatic conference to change international law regarding the emblems while simultaneously building confidence and operational collaboration between MDA and various components of the Movement. American Red Cross expresses hope that if governments fail to convene discussions on changes in the law, the American Red Cross hopes that MDA's cooperative work will lead the ICRC and the Federation to interpret the rules to extend membership to MDA.
May 2002	MDA leadership attends American Red Cross annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona.
April 2002	International Services Vice President Gerry Jones attends the first meeting of a new international working group that has been tasked with continuing to address the emblem issue. The group consists of representatives from 10 national societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation).
Feb 2002	American Red Cross staff travels to Israel to negotiate the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the American Red Cross and MDA to formalize long standing partnership. This agreement focuses on collaboration in certain areas of activity such as preparedness for Weapons of Mass Destruction attacks, international tracing and family reunification, organizational development and international humanitarian law dissemination.
Dec 2001	MDA Director General meets with American Red Cross Chairman and interim CEO to discuss bilateral agreement and to thank American Red Cross for its continued support towards membership. MDA Director General also visits American Red Cross chapters in Boston and New York to discuss collaboration and membership issues.
Nov 2001	At international Red Cross meetings, American Red Cross Chairman informs societies of board decision to continue withholding dues. International Red Cross meeting endorses the Third Protocol and the diplomatic process. American Red Cross Chairman meets with MDA President and agree to formalize relations through a bilateral partnership agreement.
Oct 2001	Despite Federation efforts, American Red Cross Board of Governors overwhelmingly reaffirms the policy to support immediate full voting membership for MDA and to withhold dues to the Federation until MDA is granted full voting membership.
May 2001	MDA leadership attends American Red Cross annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Feb-Aug 2001	The Swiss government and Movement officials continue to conclude that the political situation in the Middle East precludes resumption of the diplomatic process. American Red Cross continues to advocate for consideration of a waiver to grant MDA full-voting membership in the absence of diplomatic negotiations. The Federation shifts its focus from MDA membership to establishing targeted collaborative initiatives with MDA in Israel for the first time. Federation Governing Board continues to focus on American Red Cross decision to withhold dues and launches an effort to lobby American Red Cross board members and chapters to change the existing policy.
Jan 2001	American Red Cross informs Movement officials of its profound disappointment that MDA continues to be excluded from the Movement and that no consideration was given to a waiver or safety-net.
Dec 2000	In the face of escalating violence and political tensions in the Middle East, Movement officials decline to act on MDA membership by year's end.
Oct 2000	With the outbreak of violence in the Middle East the Swiss Government and Movement officials decide to postpone the diplomatic conference indefinitely. Movement officials subsequently postpone the Federation and Movement meetings originally scheduled to follow the diplomatic conference. American Red Cross shares its disappointment with the decision to postpone the conference and expresses its hope that a safety-net will be invoked at the end of 2000 if the conference is not rescheduled.
Sept 2000	Governments, Movement officials and American Red Cross experts gather in Geneva at a preparatory meeting to negotiate the text of the Third Protocol.
June 2000	An American Red Cross team travels to Israel and then Egypt to review progress on the Third Protocol and express American sentiments on the treaty and process. The Joint Working Group on the Emblem meets for the second and final time in Geneva, endorsing the diplomatic process and draft Third Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. The American Red Cross submits its comments on the draft treaty and reminds the group of the importance of simultaneously developing the safety-net in case diplomatic negotiations break down.
May 2000	MDA leadership attends American Red Cross annual Convention in Columbus, Ohio.
May 2000	The Standing Commission and the Swiss Government launch negotiations on the Third Protocol to the Geneva Conventions and schedules a diplomatic conference for November 2000 with multiple Movement meetings and votes to follow. American Red Cross Board of Governors and Convention delegates from across the country each adopt resolutions supporting steadfast support for MDA's membership with its emblem. The Board of Governors endorses a decision to withhold payment of the American Red Cross dues to the Federation pending MDA's inclusion.
April 2000	ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger visits Washington and meets with the American Red Cross. President Kellenberger describes plans for a diplomatic process that would implement his commitment to MDA's membership by the end of 2000. The Joint Working Group on the Emblem convenes for the first time in Geneva and endorses an ICRC and Federation proposal to initiate a year-long diplomatic process that would lead to the adoption of a Third Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. As envisioned, the Third Protocol would establish an additional protective emblem (red diamond) that could be used by societies that can not accept the Red Cross or Red Crescent.The American Red Cross states that an acceptable solution must allow MDA full unencumbered use of their emblem. The American Red Cross also raises concerns about the likely success of a complicated multi-vote diplomatic process and advocates for consideration of a simpler solution.
Feb 2000	The Standing Commission appoints a Joint Working Group on the emblem composed of 16 representatives from the Governments and representatives of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. American Red Cross ambassador-at-large Lawrence Eagleburger is appointed as a member of the commission. The American Red Cross Board of Governors reaffirms its policy on MDA and grants management the authority to use any means necessary to achieve this longstanding goal.
Jan 2000	An American Red Cross delegation visits MDA in Israel and meets with Israeli government and Movement leaders to discuss potential strategies to quickly bring MDA into the Movement.
Nov 1999	Dr. Bernadine Healy, President of the American Red Cross, addresses governments and societies at the International Conference and challenges the Movement to immediately address the exclusion of MDA. The Council of Delegates and International Conference adopt a resolution that leads to the establishment of a joint working group from the Movement and governments with a mandate to find a comprehensive solution as rapidly as possible.
Aug-Sept 1999	The Standing Commission convenes a meeting of 15 government representatives to solicit input on how states would like to address the issues surrounding the emblems of the Movement and which of four options are most feasible. American Red Cross and US Government representatives work to build support for the fourth proposal – provisional membership, until other emblem issues are resolved. The vast majority of participants support adoption of a resolution at the November 1999 International Conference that would grant interim membership to MDA and the Kazakh Red Crescent and Red Cross while the Standing Commission continued its work towards a permanent emblem solution. Federation representatives on the Standing Commission block efforts to extend interim membership to MDA citing the potential political rift and divisions this would cause within the Federation. American Red Cross expresses its shock and extreme disappointment in meetings and calls with Federation leadership.
Feb-Aug 1999	American Red Cross officials promote the use of “grandfathering” or a waiver to grant MDA interim membership at the 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to be held in November 1999. US Government and American Red Cross officials identify a precedent established through the gradual, flexible interpretation of the Geneva Conventions and Movement Statutes to allow new use of the red crescent after the cut-off date established by the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Jan 1999	Mrs. Dole sends letters to the leaders of the ICRC, Federation and Movement Standing Commission requesting their collaboration with the American Red Cross in an effort to grant MDA membership by the end of 1999. The Standing Commission convenes a meeting of legal and diplomatic experts on emblem issues. Participants in the meeting explore two possible options – adoption of a Third Protocol to the Geneva Conventions creating a new neutral emblem, or various means of allowing use of the double emblem and recognizing MDA.
April 1998	American Red Cross international legal expert identifies a legal strategy known as “grandfathering” that would allow the ICRC to grant recognition to MDA without amending either the Geneva Conventions or the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The proposal is sent to the ICRC.
March 1998	American Red Cross officials engage in shuttle diplomacy among members of the Working Group, ICRC and Federation leaders and legal experts to identify possible options for granting MDA membership by the 1999 conference.
Jan 1998	The Movement's Standing Commission appoints a new Working Group on the Emblem, including a representative from the American Red Cross.
Nov 1997	At Movement meetings in Spain, Mrs. Dole meets with MDA leadership. Societies debate the emblem options outlined in the Standing Commission's report. Deliberations deteriorate into confusion over alleged intentions to replace existing emblems. Mrs. Dole addresses the gathering and appeals for continued consideration of the options and reminds societies that the American Red Cross considers finding a solution to the emblem issues and MDA's membership of vital importance. She concludes by challenging the Movement to find an acceptable solution prior to the international conference in late 1999. The Council of Delegates accepts the Standing Commission's report on the emblem and asks that consultations on the matter continue.
Aug 1997	The Standing Commission circulates its report on the emblem including options that would allow for MDA membership, for consideration by societies. American Red Cross staff meet with MDA President Dr. Shlomi Antebi in Baltimore to discuss the contents of this report and to elicit MDA's views on the various options.
Nov 1995	The Movement Council of Delegates calls upon its Standing Commission to study the issue of the emblem and report back in 1997 on ways in which the issue may be resolved. The Standing Commission creates an ad hoc Working Group on the Emblem, which appoints a representative group of experts in matters of international humanitarian law to advise it in its deliberations. The American Red Cross provides funding for the meetings between these experts and the members of the Working Group.
March 1995	American Red Cross blood experts visit MDA blood program in Israel.
1995	Mrs. Dole sends second letters to the leaders of the Movement encouraging them to discuss the emblem issue. ARC and MDA leaders meet to discuss MDA membership strategy, including option of creating a category of associate membership in the Federation. President of MDA attends ARC national convention and meets with MDA subcommittee members. ARC leaders meet with Israeli Ambassador in Washington, DC.
Aug 1994	Mrs. Dole corresponds with Presidents of the ICRC and Federation encouraging them to work together towards resolution of the emblem matter.
Jan 1993	Mrs. Dole meets with George Weber, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) and members of the ARC MDA Subcommittee. Mr. Weber expresses his personal commitment to supporting the actions of the ARC MDA Subcommittee.
Nov 1992	MDA blood experts visit ARC blood program and selected blood regions. ARC headquarters disseminates MDA information kit to chapters to use in educating their public about MDA membership issue.
May 1992	Mrs. Dole serves as the keynote speaker at the Annual Luncheon of the American Red Magen David for Israel (ARMDI) and discusses relations with MDA.
April 1992	Elizabeth Dole sends letters to Red Cross Societies in Canada, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, France, and Great Britain asking them to join the American Red Cross in securing membership in the Movement for MDA.
Dec 1991	Elizabeth Dole, President of the American Red Cross, meets with Shoshana Cardin, Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, to share ARC policy concerning MDA and to secure their support in working towards the inclusion of MDA.
1990	American Red Cross Board of Governors adopts plan to enhance bilateral relations with MDA, encourage other national societies to support MDA, seek formal recognition of MDA inclusion in the Movement and launch an education program about MDA aimed at ARC chapters and the American public.
1989	American Red Cross MDA Task Force meets with MDA officials. ARC Board of Governors establishes MDA Advisory Committee, successor to the Task Force. Board of Governors adopts a resolution in October calling for immediate admission of MDA. Resolution also bilaterally recognizes MDA as a sister society.
1988	American Red Cross leadership establishes the MDA Task Force to consider strategies for acting upon the 1987 Convention Resolution. Tulsa Area Chapter Chairman Dan Schusterman is appointed Chair. Task Force holds first meeting in November.
1987	American Red Cross Convention delegates from across the country pass a resolution calling for immediate admission of MDA into the Movement and for closer bilateral ties between the two societies. ARC President, Richard Shubert leads delegation to visit MDA in Israel.
1986	The ten conditions for admission into the Movement were officially codified in the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including emblem requirement.
1981	Due to lack of consensus, the Emblem Working Group is dissolved by the Council of Delegates during its meeting in Manila without identifying an acceptable solution. ICRC and the American Red Cross advocate strongly for continuation of the working group.
1977	The Council of Delegates in Bucharest establishes the Working Group on the Emblem to study the question of emblems – reportedly to find a way to recognize MDA and solve “other emblem problems.” George Elsey, President of the American Red Cross is appointed to the Emblem Working Group.
1976	At the Federation's General Assembly, ARC Chairman and President introduce an amendment to the Federation's constitution that would eliminate the requirement for use of a recognized emblem to become a member. The amendment is rejected.
1974	In a letter to George Elsey, MDA Chairman Prof. M. Many thanks the American Red Cross for its consistent position taken in support of MDA's application for membership in the Federation and many years of assistance and cooperation.
1971-77	At both Conferences of Experts held in Geneva in 1971 and 1972 to develop draft protocols to supplement the Geneva Conventions, Israel proposes an amendment recognizing the red shield of David. It again made a similar proposal at the 1974 Diplomatic conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts. At each gathering proposals to recognize MDA's emblem are rejected.
1965	American Red Cross reports collaboration and mutual assistance with MDA in areas of blood provision, sharing of training materials, youth and school art exchange projects, professional exchange visits and collaboration on reuniting separated families. Report also notes that ARC maintains frequent contact with the American Red Magen David for Israel (ARMDI), a US based fundraising group that supports MDA's work.
1952	The State of Israel establishes the Magen David Adom Law, identifying MDA as the red cross equivalent for Israel under the Geneva Conventions. MDA formally applies for membership in the Movement. The ICRC denies application based on MDA's use of emblems.
1948-50	American Red Cross donates two ambulances to MDA, chapters send relief goods including Brooklyn Chapter donation of 55,000 yards of cloth, 100 bales of wool and sewing materials for refugees.
1949	Israel ratifies the Geneva Conventions and declares that Magen David Adom will serve as the equivalent to the Red Cross in Israel. Diplomatic Conference convened for the revision of the Geneva Conventions of 1929. Proposal to add the red shield of David to the revised Geneva Conventions is defeated 22-21.
1948	Israel becomes a recognized country. International Conference of the Red Cross convenes and develops the 10 conditions for the recognition of a national society, but these are not formally incorporated within the Statutes of the Red Cross Movement. Conference also expresses the desire to return to one emblem, the red cross.
1940	Diplomatic Conference is canceled due to the outbreak of World War II.
1937	ICRC calls a conference of experts to consider returning to a single protective emblem through deletion of the clause allowing the red crescent and the red lion and sun. Meeting of experts concludes with recommendation to call a diplomatic conference to consider the question of emblems. Conference scheduled for early 1940.
1930	Magen David Adom (MDA) established as a humanitarian relief society in the British Protectorate of Palestine.
1929	Diplomatic Conference recognizes the use of the red crescent and the Persian red lion and sun emblems “in place of the red cross in the case of countries which already use them.” Language is included in the modified Geneva Conventions of 1929.
1914	First known use of red shield of David as a humanitarian emblem to signify the work of a Jewish organization mobilizing aid during World War I.
1988-1907	The protective emblem of the red cross is discussed at two international peace conferences and a diplomatic conference. Participants at each agree to maintain the red cross as the sole recognized protective emblem, while accepting the legality of some country's legal reservations to its use.
1876	The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) informs the Swiss Government that it use a red crescent for itself, citing the cultural difficulty their soldiers have in using a red cross because of its similarity with the emblem used by the Crusaders.
1864	Diplomatic Conference includes the emblem proposal within the 1st Geneva Convention.
1863	Henri Dunant and a committee of Swiss citizens develop the ideas that lead to the Geneva Conventions and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC.) The committee recommends that a heraldic Greek red cross on a white background should be adopted as a protective emblem for military medical personnel and humanitarian aid societies.