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Week Ending December 8, 2006

H.R.6338 To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent and repress the misuse of the Red Crescent distinctive emblem and the Third Protocol (Red Crystal) distinctive emblem.

Red Cross

Red Crystal

This bill follows a decades long effort by Israel to have its medical emergency organization (The Megan David Adom Society) included with the U.S. Red Cross and the Palestinian Red Crescent organizations of the same nature. Pressure from the U.S. finalized negotiations which were stalled on Israel’s insistence that the Shield of David, more commonly know as the Jewish Star and the Star of David is its organization’s symbol. The proposal was rejected on the grounds that the Star is a religious symbol and was countered by the assertion that the Cross is also a religious symbol. The final decision was a red diamond shape referred to now as the Third Protocol and the Red Crystal. The Star of David may be displayed inside the crystal.

The bill aims to produce a six month jail term for anyone fraudulently using either the Red Crystal symbol as well as the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies symbols to present themselves as members of those organizations. Close approximations with varying colors use fraudulently are also prohibited.

The Attorney General may also bring a civil suit against a violator. Fines may also be levied.

Any legal use of the symbols before December 8, 2005 would continue to be allowed.

Sponsor:  Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ-6^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote December 5, 2006.

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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