The Red Cross gets to have a cross. The Red Crescent gets to have a crescent. But Israel gets a box? Should the international relief agency now change its name to the “Red Box?”

The BBC today reported:

A diamond-shaped red crystal on a white background is to join the Red Cross and the Red Crescent as an emblem for ambulances and relief workers.

Geneva Convention member states voted by a two-thirds majority for the symbol, ending a decades-old row and opens the way for Israel to join. …

A spokesman for the Swiss government told reporters it was unfortunate that the crystal had not been adopted by consensus.

The Red Shield of David - or Magen David Adom - was not recognised by the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and Arab states had blocked attempts to find an alternative symbol.

Previously,

The ICRC [International Committee for the Red Cross] recognises the symbols of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emergency services, but not the red Star of David used by Israel’s Magen David Adom.

Can you say, “religious Apartheid?”