IV
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 464
Expressing the sense of Congress on international recognition of Israel’s
Magen David Adom Society and its symbol the Red Shield of David.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 6, 2000
Mr. GILMAN (for himself, Mr. GEJDENSON, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. WEINER, Mr.
ROHRABACHER, Mr. ACKERMAN, and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International
Relations
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress on international recognition
of Israel’s Magen David Adom Society and its symbol
the Red Shield of David.
Whereas Israel’s Magen David Adom Society has provided
emergency relief to people in many countries in times of
need, pain, and suffering since 1930, regardless of na-
tionality or religious affiliation;
Whereas in the past year alone, the Magen David Adom Soci-
ety has provided invaluable services in Kosovo, Indonesia,
and Kenya following the bombing of the United States
Embassy in Kenya, and in the wake of the earthquakes
that devastated Greece and Turkey;
•HRES 464 IH
Whereas the American Red Cross has recognized the superb
and invaluable work done by the Magen David Adom So-
ciety and considers the exclusion of the Magen David
Adom Society from the International Committee of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ‘‘an injustice of
the highest order’’;
Whereas the American Red Cross has repeatedly urged that
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
recognize the Magen David Adom Society as a full mem-
ber;
Whereas the Magen David Adom Society utilizes the Red
Shield of David as its emblem, in similar fashion to the
utilization of the Red Cross and Red Crescent by other
national societies;
Whereas the Red Cross and the Red Crescent have been rec-
ognized as protected symbols under the Statutes of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
Whereas the International Committee of the Red Cross has
ignored previous requests from the United States Con-
gress to recognize the Magen David Adom Society;
Whereas the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement state that it ‘‘makes no discrimina-
tion as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or po-
litical opinions’’ and it ‘‘may not take sides in hostilities
or engage at any time in controversies of a political, ra-
cial, religious or ideological nature’’;
Whereas although similar national organizations of Iraq,
North Korea, and Afghanistan are recognized as full
members of the International Red Cross and Red Cres-
cent Movement, the Magen David Adom Society has been
denied membership since 1949; and
•HRES 464 IH
Whereas in fiscal year 1999 the United States Government
provided $119,400,000 to the International Committee of
the Red Cross and $7,300,000 to the Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That—
(1) the International Committee of the Red
Cross should immediately recognize the Magen
David Adom Society and the Magen David Adom
Society should be granted full membership in the
International Committee of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement;
(2) the Federation of Red Cross and Red Cres-
cent Societies should grant full membership to the
Magen David Adom Society immediately following
recognition by the International Committee of the
Red Cross of the Magen David Adom Society as a
full member of the International Committee of the
Red Cross; and
(3) the Red Shield of David should be accorded
the same protections under international law as the
Red Cross and the Red Crescent.
Æ