Free Republic

Revoking the registration of the Magen David Adom (MDA) as a charitable organization -- as proposed by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and upheld by a majority decision of the Federal Court of Appeal -- is an outrage. The MDA, the Red Star of David, is Israel's Red Cross. It's easy to agree with Edward L. Greenspan and David C. Nathanson, the eminent Canadian lawyers, who argued in these pages last week that the Federal Court's "judgment is wrong and should not stand." A withdrawal of charitable status makes donations, on which non-governmental organizations like the Red Star of...

The Magen David Adom (MDA), the Red Star of David, was born 52 years ago. It is the Red Cross, except with a Jewish symbol. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to alleviate human suffering. It serves, without discrimination, the entire Israeli population, including 1.1-million Israeli Arabs, and Palestinian Arabs in need. MDA is not a government agency. It sought membership in the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) with the Red Star of David as its emblem. The Star of David is the symbol of the Jewish people as well as of Israel. Surrender of its...