World Jewish Congress Heralds Overdue Recognition for Magen David Adom and 'Victory of Humanity Over Politics'

To: National and International Desk

Contact: Shai Franklin of the World Jewish Congress, 202-491-7373 or 011-32-49-551-0907

GENEVA, June 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The World Jewish Congress congratulated Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's national medical relief society, on its admission into the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

"Today is a victory of humanity over politics," said WJC Director of International Organizations Shai Franklin. "The world has finally declared that those who give of themselves to fulfil the humanitarian needs of others are equal regardless of their religion or country of origin."

"With this step, the Red Cross movement and governments around the world have righted an historic wrong, restoring unbiased universality," Franklin continued. "It was a long and difficult road, and the World Jewish Congress was privileged to be in Geneva working with national delegations in support of this process."

The WJC delegation to the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and the International Federation's Extraordinary General Assembly included ten young community leaders from South Africa, Argentina, the United States, Israel, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, and Canada. Peleg Reshef, WJC Director of Future Generations, said, "These members of the WJC Young Professional Diplomatic Corps were engaged in hands-on advocacy on the floor and in the corridors of the Red Cross conference as well as at the inaugural session of the new United Nations Human Rights Council. This was a defining moment for the Jewish people and the international movement, and it clearly was defining moment for many of these young activists who proved themselves here today."

Reshef said, "We pay tribute to all those in the international community who worked so hard on this effort. Admitting MDA has long been a priority issue for us, and this is truly a special day for the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and the international supporters of humanitarian assistance and cooperation."

Special recognition was noted for the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Swiss Government, the American Red Cross and Dr. Mohammed Al Hadid, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and President of the Jordanian Red Crescent Society.

The World Jewish Congress is the international federation of Jewish communities representing Jewish communities around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to world governments and international organizations. Since its founding in 1936, the WJC has maintained a presence in Geneva and continues to work with international organizations and fora based there