Magen David Adom and Palestinian Red Crescent sign agreement – Swiss DFA statement – Swiss DFA press release/Non-UN document

Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) and Palestinian Red Crescent have signed an agreement in Geneva brokered by Switzerland

Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) and the Palestinian Red Crescent signed an agreement on 28 November 2005 that came about through Swiss mediation. The agreement is an important step on the road to recognition of an additional emblem for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The signing ceremony took place under the auspices and in the presence of Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

At the signing ceremony, Mrs Calmy-Rey said that she was confident that the agreement between the two national relief societies would pave the way for the recognition of an additional emblem for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In its capacity as the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, Switzerland has convened a diplomatic conference in Geneva on 5 and 6 December in which the 192 States Parties are to agree on a third additional protocol.

Mrs Calmy-Rey referred to the courage and the wisdom displayed by the leaders of the two national relief agencies. She therefore hoped very much that the two relief agencies would become full members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as soon as possible. She described the agreement signed by Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) and the Palestinian Red Crescent as exemplary, stressing that the agreement was purely humanitarian. She also pointed out that it did provide a small contribution to the peace process in the Middle East.

In a Memorandum of Understanding Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Crescent reached agreement on their respective areas of deployment and responsibility. The two relief agencies defined specific areas of cooperation in the Operational Arrangements. At the request of the two relief agencies, Switzerland will accompany the implementation of these two documents and will establish an appropriate monitoring system with the support of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.