Sherman Congratulates Israel’s Magen David AdomAcceptance into International Red Cross

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman on Thursday joined Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon at a Capitol Hill press conference to congratulate Israels disaster relief and first-aid organization on its admission to the International Red Cross.

œThis long overdue but historic moment in Middle East humanitarian cooperation ends nearly 60 years of injustice, said Sherman, who cosponsored congressional resolutions that pressed the case for Magen David Adoms acceptance into the International Red Cross.

After a 57-year struggle, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent rejected Muslim group objections and voted to accept both the Palestinian Red Crescent and Magen David Adom as full voting members.

To help pave the way for MDAs acceptance, the international organization, known around the world for its red cross and red crescent symbols, created an optional, third emblem, a red crystal, that could stand alone or frame the Israeli society's red star.

American Friends of Magen David Adom, Sherman noted, has provided vital support for the MDA, and raised more than $90 million in the past five years to support its team of trained volunteer and professional medical responders.