Congressman Jerrold Nadler delivered the following remarks yesterday congratulating Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency response service, on its admission to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.  Congressman Nadler spoke at a breakfast cosponsored by the American Red Cross of Greater New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council.

“This is the culmination of an effort more than 50 years in the making, and it’s extremely gratifying to see MDA, at last, granted the recognition it deserves.  Since the 1930’s, MDA has proven itself not just a top-flight emergency response organization in Israel, but a trusted partner in international relief efforts.

I have to say, I think it’s ridiculous that it has taken this long for the international community to come to an agreement about admitting MDA.  This is one of the best-trained response organizations in the world, and their right to display the symbol of their choice should never have been such a strike against them.

It’s important that we recognize that the “Red Crystal” compromise achieves the one overriding goal: full recognition of MDA.  Let us all hope that in the future the world will not find the Magen David so offensive that it must be contained in another insignia; rather, that it will be seen for what it is: a beacon of commitment.

In the meantime, I offer my sincerest congratulations to Magen David Adom, and to their hardworking partners here at the American Red Cross of Greater New York.  Mazel tov.”