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By Dr. Steve Carol
December 27, 2005
In a recent article that appeared in several Jewish newspapers nationwide, Jane Walker, President of Hadassah, writes of "One small step for Israel." The article itself is misleading. Before we break out in too much euphoric celebration of Israel's "admission" to the International Red Cross, we must look at the facts and ask some important questions.
Why must we as Jews perpetuate the victim-mentality that has dogged our people for so long? Why must we settle for crumbs when we are entitled to an entire slice of bread?
Witness the phenomenon at work: Some of Israel and the Jewish people's Arab/Muslim enemies actually call the Jewish State "Israel" instead of the derogatory "Zionist entity." Some Israelis/Jews hear the magic word "Israel" and begin to celebrate that it is a tremendous "achievement." The Israelis then surrender territory and jeopardize the basic security of their nation.
This while the very same enemies' news media, text books, and religious preaching call for the destruction of the Jewish State.
Similarly, we have the just announced recognition of Israel's Magen David Adom, a so-called "victory." It was partially recognized, but it was a half-way step. Again the "crumbs."
Why can't the Magen David Adom be placed on par with the Red Cross and the Red Crescent? Indeed, in Iran, prior to 1979, the Iranian Red Lion was placed on an equal footing with the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Why must we have a Red Crystal into which the Magen David Adom must be placed - a sign of second class status? If the Magen David Adom must be placed within the Red Crystal when it operates internationally, why shouldn't the Red Cross and the Red Crescent be similarly placed?
If the international community wants to use a Red Crystal, then why not use the Red Crystal exclusively worldwide as THE symbol of humanitarian and medical assistance?
Ms. Walker states that now Israel will not have to "slip into" countries that do not wish to see a Red Star of David, yet still take the assistance offered by the Jewish State. This statement is false. According to the agreement just concluded Israel will be forced to remove the Magen David Adom if the recipient nation so requests. Thus little has been gained.
Israel and its Magen David Adom emblem continue to be discriminated against. The intolerance towards the Magen David Adom and increasingly towards the Red Cross has come from one quarter, the Arab/Muslim world. It has not diminished but rather it has increased.
Looking at the Magen David Adom within the sides of the Red Crystal box is reminiscent of the Jews of old, behind the ghetto walls. It is time to think outside the box!
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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