Speeches

Statements by Senior

Embassy Officials

International Magen David Adom Conference
David Intercontinental Hotel
October 11, 2007

I am both honored and humbled at being invited here today for the conclusion of the International Magen David Adom Conference (IMDAC).  I see so many people in this room who help to save lives every day.  Dedicated, caring people.  All helping to fulfill the well known Talmudic verse, “One who saves a single life saves a world.”  Well, if a life is a world, then you help to save galaxy after galaxy every single day!

Thanks to the tireless efforts of many dedicated parties, last year Magen David Adom was accepted into the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. For more than 50 years, the American Red Cross had considered the admission of Magen David Adom to the Movement to be a policy priority. The United States Government, particularly the Department of State through its diplomatic missions in Geneva and around the globe, was heavily involved in promoting this goal.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MDA and Palestine Red Crescent Society in November 2005 was a key factor in the adoption of the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention in December 2005.  This paved the way for MDA to join the movement in June 2006, after more than 50 years of tireless effort.

I think you all understand how complicated and complex this process was, and just how important an achievement MDA’s admission into the international movement was. 

Unfortunately, this important achievement now risks being tarnished by a delay in the complete implementation of MDA’s Memorandum of Understanding with the PRCS.

To avoid any possibility of MDA becoming an undeserved target for criticism at the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent scheduled for next month it is essential that the MOU be fully implemented as soon as possible, including its provision which calls for stationing PRCS ambulances in East Jerusalem. 

We must not let political and bureaucratic intransigence endanger a humanitarian milestone that we all worked so long and so hard to accomplish!  

I started by mentioning the Talmud.  With your permission, I'd like to close with another reference to that same source.  The Talmud points out that the first Man, Adam, was created alone.  It explains that this was done for the sake of PEACE among all people, so that no one could say, “My ancestor was greater than yours.”  What a powerful thought – from thousands of years ago!  

Let us remember this ancient but still revolutionary wisdom as we move forward with our humanitarian work.  Working together, Israel's Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society have the opportunity to help unite the children of Adam, and of Abraham, around their common humanity.  In doing so, they can become true harbingers of peace for this troubled region.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you today and to thank you for the marvelous work you have done and continue to do.  It is a great and wonderful mitzvah, Be’Hazlacha!