Fly it high, wear it proud, and tell the international Red Cross or whatever the bloody bleep they call themselves to go kiss Dixie tailpipe in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, or other preferred language of choice!
Posted on 12/09/2005 4:30:16 AM PST by SJackson
I have been following the recent saga in the Red Cross with growing disgust.
For those of you who are not familiar with the issues at hand, Israel's official relief agency, Magen David Adom (MDA; Red Star of David), has traditionally been rejected membership as an official member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society because of its refusal to adopt either a cross or a crescent as its official symbol. When Israel suggested allowing the additional symbol of the Red Magen David in 1949, the organization rejected the request for the reason that they "don't want to have too many symbols." Contrast this with the refusal of the Muslim world to display a cross on their equipment and the almost immediate acceptance of the Red Crescent as an official symbol. Since that initial rejection, the Arab countries have fought tooth and nail to keep Israel out of the organization; that is, until today.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, today is an historic day for the State of Israel, the Jewish people and Magen David Adom. Finally, after over 50 years of ongoing struggle, despite the current objections of Syria, the governing body of the International Red Cross/Red Crescent societies has approved Israel's membership.
Oh, there's just one more thing. In order to join, Israel must adopt the newly created alternative symbol, the Red Crystal, and hereafter refrain from using the Red Star of David.
Before you get excited, it is not as bad as it sounds. If MDA wants, they can continue to use the Magen David inside the red crystal on domestic and fundraising missions, and even on foreign relief missions where the host country is not "offended" by the symbol. How magnanimous of them. Where do I sign?
Yes, my friends, you have heard correctly. Jews may finally join the Red Cross/Red Crescent, but only on the condition that they stop being Jewish. The benevolent nations of the world will allow us to join their "club" and participate in relief missions saving their citizens from disasters, but only on the condition that we never, G-d forbid, reveal whence we came.
I am not old enough to remember this myself, but I have heard many first-hand accounts that in the recent past, even in "Jewish New York", hotels, businesses and places of entertainment used to prominently display signs in the entranceway that said "No Jews or Dogs!" There was many a country club in the northeastern US that did not allow any minorities, including Jews, to join. They still unofficially exist today on Long Island and in New England, although at least today (unlike the Red Cross), they have the decency to hide their "eligibility requirements". Of course, as Jews look similar to their WASP neighbors, they would often "make an exception" and let you in as long as you paid an "extra" membership fee and promised never to reveal the fact that you were Jewish.
We need to ask ourselves what Israel or the MDA gains from this newly found "acceptance". The "privilege" to go and save the lives of people who hate us and won't even allow us to display a non-offensive symbol of Judaism on our uniforms and ambulances? Is it really a positive thing that we try so hard to join a club that proudly displays a sign on its front gate "No Jews or Dogs"? Do we need to risk our lives and send our brave men and women over to countries that won't even acknowledge our existence as a people? People who are so repulsed by a non-political historic symbol of the Jewish people that they would rather die than accept aid from "dirty Jews"? Even if this new arrangement will allow Israel to benefit from extra funding, is it really worth the self-denigration that is required to be eligible to receive it?
The Torah records a prophetic blessing given to the Jewish people: "Behold it is a nation that dwells alone and is not counted among the other nations." (Numbers 23:9) How many of us remember this verse in our daily lives and really consider it to be a blessing? We dedicate our lives to being accepted by the world at large, and the harder we try, the more they remind us that "No Jews or Dogs" are allowed. Sure, there is one way to gain their acceptance, and there always has been - stop being Jewish.
Maybe we should, once and for all, make Jewish history, take the last shred of dignity that we have left as a people, and tell the Red Cross and all other anti-Semitic organizations of the world what they can do with their membership cards.
Islam: A new lesson in hate every day.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
WASPs and Muslims there is some stretch. This fool needs a tasering or he needs to stay away from the hated WASPs and move his arse to some sunny Muslim country of choice.
The Red Cross's argument is ridiculous.
I suppose you win some, you lose some. In this country, the menorah is acceptable decoration in public displays, but the creche is not.
That's pretty bad. What does the crystal look like?
What justification have they had all these years for discriminating against the star of david?
Uh, yes, why doesn't Israel tell the Red Cross/Red Crescent to go shove their Red Crystal?!
Red Crystal?!! How did they come up with that nonsense?
Even if this new arrangement will allow Israel to benefit from extra funding, is it really worth the self-denigration that is required to be eligible to receive it?
I assume that the extra funding would mean that Israel doesn't have to foot 100% of the bill sending aid and workers as it did during the last disastrous tsunami, for instance.
In the past, hasn't the PLO been fortunate enough to "come across" Red Cross vans to transport terrorists' and weapons?
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
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The thing that galls me the most about this "host-country" -diamond BS is that you don't hear the Palesimians who don't seem to mind using the Israeli health care system speaking out. Can I even begin to describe the articles, interviews, etc. with Lebanese and Palestinians who were raised to hate the Jewish people that had a change of heart after being rescued by IDF medical personnel after a suicide bombing or rocket attack? ANTI-SEMITISM at its worst. Is the UN running this "hearing"?
This 20 mm Swarovski crystal is perfect for boosting your reputation and recognition area both at home and at work. Also, hang a red crystal to boost passion in your relationship.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Or maybe (and far more pathetically) they're so used to getting kicked and scorned that even an insulting recognition looks better than none to them. May God forgive us....
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