Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 7, 2005

U.S. Welcomes Swiss Announcement of Conference on Red Cross Emblem

The United States welcomes the Swiss Government's announcement today that it
will convene a diplomatic conference on December 5-6, 2005 to adopt a Third
Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. If adopted, the Protocol
will create a new, neutral emblem in addition to the red cross and red crescent
emblems currently in use in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. This
neutral emblem is an important step toward the Red Cross and Crescent
Movement's goal of being a truly universal humanitarian movement.

The United States strongly supports diplomatic efforts that will lead to the
full membership of the Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's national society, in
the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement. Israel has been a party to
the Geneva Conventions since 1951 and we believe its national society should be
recognized as a member of the Movement.

We wish to thank the Swiss Government for its intensive diplomatic efforts
aimed at addressing this long-standing humanitarian issue.