The red crystal, a 'third emblem' for the International Red Cross?

Countries who have signed the Geneva Conventions are meeting in Geneva today to discuss a third sign for the International Red Cross. Some countries want a new sign with no religious links. This report from Imogen Foulkes:

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But Israel rejects the cross and the crescent, it's Magen David Adom Society uses the unrecognised red star of David. That means the society is not a full member of the Red Cross movement. America has been withholding its subscriptions to the International Red Cross in protest at the exclusion. Arab states meanwhile, will not accept the star of David as a neutral symbol in a war zone.

The only solution is a third emblem, a red diamond on a white background, it has no cultural or religious significance. After intense negotiations, Israel says it will use the diamond outside its internationally recognised borders. But the new emblem still has to be approved. Although a majority of countries are in favour, some Arab states are apparently not convinced that Israel needs to be accommodated in this way. The debate in Geneva may be heated.

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emblems
signs, pictures or symbols

the Geneva conventions
international agreements that contain the most important rules on the way wars may be fought. They also protect people who do not take part in the fighting (civilians and aid workers, for example) and those who can no longer fight (prisoners of war, for example). 192 countries have agreed to follow these rules - that's almost every country in the world.

On the battlefield or in disaster zones the thinking goes
people agree that in places of war or natural disaster

clearly symbolise neutral humanitarian relief
are easily understood as signs of aid that is available to all people

compromised
weakened, made less forceful

unrecognised
not officially approved (under the Geneva Conventions)

withholding its subscriptions to the International Red Cross
not paying the money it should pay regularly to help the work of the International Red Cross

it has no cultural or religious significance
it has no meaning or importance relating to the ideas, beliefs or customs of different groups of people

to be accommodated
to have their suggestion accepted

The debate in Geneva may be heated
The discussion in Geneva may be full of angry and excited feelings

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