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The American Red Cross and Magen David Adom (MDA) The American Red Cross is a proud supporter of the Magen David Adom (MDA), the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross. These two organizations have enjoyed a strong relationship of mutual assistance since the MDA’s founding more than 70 years ago. This relationship was formalized in November of 2002, when the American Red Cross and the MDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement focuses on preparedness for weapons of mass destruction events, biomedical services, and international tracing and family reunification. Since 1949, the MDA has been denied admission to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement because it uses the red shield, or star, of David as its emblem, which is not referenced in the Geneva conventions. As a result, the MDA has been relegated to observer status, without a vote. The Movement currently consists of 181 recognized societies including the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross Board of Governors has considered the admission of the MDA to the Movement a policy priority for 50 years. Since 2000, in continued protest of exclusion of the MDA from the Movement, the American Red Cross has withheld $25 million in dues to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its voluntary headquarters contributions to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The American Red Cross remains engaged in ongoing international dialogue to secure full membership for the MDA in the Movement. In December 2003, during the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva, all Geneva Convention signatories and all 181 societies unanimously adopted a resolution to find lasting solutions to issues surrounding the Movement’s emblems (regarding the admission of the MDA into the Movement). The resolution calls for a convening of a diplomatic conference as soon as circumstances permit. It is now up to the Swiss government to convene a meeting to resolve this issue. The American Red Cross views this as a positive step and is hopeful a meeting can be held as soon as possible. The American Red Cross has been providing Holocaust-related tracing and documentation services since 1939. Following the release of Nazi documents by the former Soviet Union in 1990, the American Red Cross established the Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center to help survivors learn the fates of loved ones missing since the Holocaust and its aftermath. A resource of hope, the Center has responded to more than 37,000 requests from every state in the nation and 89 countries, and has now provided substantive information on the deportation, internment, and even certification of death of more than 11,000 family members and has in more than 1,200 miraculous cases found loved ones still alive. The MDA is one of the Center's key tracing partners. Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a network of nearly 900 local chapters in communities nationwide dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by nearly 1 million volunteers and 36,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 70,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills, and keeps U.S. military families connected worldwide. The Red Cross collects nearly half the nation’s blood supply. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross. Back to News American Red Cross Greater Kansas City Chapter 211 W. Armour Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64111 USA         Phone 816-931-8400 Fax 816-531-7306 © 2003-2008 The American Red Cross. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy