EMBLEM: GOI DOES NOT ENDORSE MAGEN DAVID ADOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 006171

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/IPA AND EUR/AGS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL IS SZ ISRAELI SOCIETY
SUBJECT: EMBLEM: GOI DOES NOT ENDORSE MAGEN DAVID ADOM
DECLARATION

REF: A) GREENE-WALLES E-MAIL 10/15/2005 B) GENEVA 02395

Classified By: Political Counselor Norman H. Olsen, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

This message was cleared by CONGEN Jerusalem.


1. (C) SUMMARY AND ACTION RECOMMENDATION: Israeli MFA
Director for international organizations and human rights
Daniel Meron informed post that the Government of Israel
(GOI) does not endorse the September 27 declaration by Dr.
Noam Yifrach, chairman of the MDA executive committee, which
the Swiss circulated in a letter to diplomatic missions in
Geneva. (ref A) Meron also reported that Swiss Foreign
Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey will visit Israel between
October 28 and 31. At the end of her visit, Meron said, she
will announce the Swiss plan to hold a conference (ref B) in
the beginning of December. Post understands that Swiss
authorities have broadly circulated the text of the MDA
declaration, an action that may create an inaccurate
perception of GOI intentions and flexibility in securing MDA
membership. Post recommends that Department and U.S. Mission
Geneva engage with Swiss officials to ensure that the Swiss
enjoy absolute clarity on the respective GOI and MDA
positions. END SUMMARY.

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MDA Action Not Coordinated, Not Binding
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2. (C) According to Meron, MDA did not coordinate its action
with the GOI, and the GOI does not consider as binding either
the declaration in general or the specific language stating
that, once the MDA joins the Red Cross Movement, its
"geographical scope" will be "confined to the State of Israel
within its internationally recognized borders." (ref A)
Meron said he was surprised by this language.


3. (C) Meron said MFA Deputy Director General for
international organizations affairs Aharon Leshno Yaar has
delivered a letter to Swiss Ambassador at Large for the
Emblems of the Geneva Conventions Didier Pfirter stating that
MDA's declaration does not represent the position of the GOI.

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Visit of Swiss FM
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4. (C) Meron also said FM Calmy-Rey has a request pending to
meet with Prime Minister Sharon and Foreign Minister Shalom
during her visit to Israel scheduled for between October 28
and 31. At the end of her visit, Meron said, she will
announce plans for a conference (ref B) in the beginning of
December.

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