The Red Cross admitted Israel to the worldwide humanitarian organization

The Red Cross organization admitted Israel last week to the worldwide humanitarian organization, ending decades of exclusion
 
The organization simultaneously admitted the Palestinian Red Crescent society, making an exception to the rule that societies have to be under a sovereign state.
 
An optional new emblem was adopted so that Israel could retain its red star of David instead of having to adopt the red cross.
 
Magen David Adom has sought membership in the Red Cross movement since the 1930s _ even before Israel became a state _ but has been barred from entry because it objects to using the traditional symbols of the movement to identify its medical and humanitarian workers.