International Red Cross (2002)

WHEREAS the Magen David Adom, the Israeli equivalent of the American Red Cross meets all of the criteria for membership in the International Federation of the Red Cross, and

WHEREAS the International Federation of the Red Cross has admitted the Red Crescent to membership in the Federation and given recognition to its alternate symbol, while denying the same privilege to the Magen David Adom, and

WHEREAS, the International Federation of the Red Cross has denied the Magen David Adom membership in the Federation, citing its use of an alternate symbol; and

WHEREAS the Federation's exclusionary policies with respect to the Magen David Adom are inimical to the fundamentals of the Red Cross movement; and

WHEREAS the American Red Cross has withheld its dues to the International Federation of the Red Cross because of this policy,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism thank the American Red Cross for withholding its dues from the Federation and urges the continuation of this course of action.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism call upon its affiliated congregations and their members to register and articulate their concern in the strongest possible terms that the International Federation's policy of exclusion and intolerance with respect to the Magen David Adom must immediately be terminated.