The late night vote at the international conference of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland, saw the idea easily pass the required two- thirds majority with 237 votes approving the step, to 54 against and 18 abstentions. Sustained applause from the 1,400 delegates met the result.
But the negotiations were complicated by the Middle East’s political situation, with Muslim nations putting forward a proposal calling on the meeting to confirm that the movement’s rules apply to Israeli controlled Arab areas – a move that was opposed by western nations and later rejected.
Palestinian groups previously been excluded from the movement, because only sovereign nations are represented in it, have now been allowed in after the conference modified that rule specifically for the Palestinian Authority.
New symbol
The decision to allow Israel entry into the prestigious movement was foreshadowed last year by the preliminary approval of a third emblem. Known as the Red Crystal, it’s a red bordered square standing on one of its edges, and will complement the two current official symbols, the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The Red Cross has never sanctioned the use of the Star of David, so the Red Crystal will open up options for groups opposed to the Cross or Crescent symbols. It’s already allowed the Israeli aid society Magen David Adom (MDA, Red Star of David), to join the movement.
The Crystal symbol could also lead to additional funding for the International Federation - the American Red Cross society had suspended its payments to it for last six years over the exclusion of the MDA.
The original Red Cross symbol - the reversal of the colours on the Swiss flag - was adopted in the 1860s when the organisation was set up to care for wounded soldiers. The international movement added the symbol of the Red Crescent after Muslim nations objected to the use of the cross, saying it reminded them of Christian Crusaders.
The new Red Crystal is also hoped to have a wider role, opening up groups who object to either the cross or the crescent and allowing humanitarian workers to operate where there is a need for an emblem free from religious or political connotations.