New Red Cross emblem paves way for Israel
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-08 09:20

Delegates to an international conference accepted a new Red Cross emblem Thursday despite Syrian objections, paving the way for Israel to join the humanitarian movement after nearly six decades of exclusion.

Swiss ambassador at large, Didier Phirte, center, gestures as he announces that the international conference approves a new 'red crystal' emblem, paving the way for Israel to join the Red Cross movement in Geneva, Switzerland, early morning Thursday, Dec 8, 2005. [AP]

The 192 signatories of the Geneva Conventions approved the new "red crystal" emblem by vote after last-ditch negotiations between Israel and Syria over Damascus' demands for humanitarian access to Syrian citizens in the Golan Heights broke down.

"I can inform you that the protocol has just been adopted," said Didier Pfirter, a Swiss diplomat who has been coordinating global efforts to muster support for the new emblem that would enable Israel to join the movement without having to use the red cross or Muslim red crescent already in use.

"Unfortunately, it has not been possible to adopt the protocol by consensus, but it has been adopted by a clear majority," said Pfirter, adding that he still did not have the exact vote count.