Geneva, Nov 28, SPA -- Red Cross partner organizations of Israeland the Palestinian Authority on Monday signed an agreementof mutual recognition, paving the way for the Jewishstate's entry into the Red Cross movement. The Israeli society known as the Magen David Adom, or RedShield of David, signed the deal in Geneva with thePalestinian Red Crescent securing acceptance of the "redcrystal" _ a new emblem the international aid agency isconsidering to recognize alongside the red cross and redcrescent. "It certainly does make a crucial contribution for theRed Cross and Red Crescent Movement to achieve its ambitionof universality," said Swiss Foreign Minister MichelineCalmy-Rey. Israel has been denied membership in the humanitarianmovement for nearly six decades because it rejects the redcross used in most countries and the red crescent preferredby Muslim countries. The Palestinian society only hasobserver status because it is not under the jurisdiction ofa recognized state. The agreement helps pave the way for the acceptance of thenew emblem by the 192 countries that have signed the GenevaConventions on the conduct of warfare when they meet inspecial session Dec. 5-6 in Geneva, said Switzerland'sforeign ministry, which is hosting the conference. Magen David Adom recognized the Palestinian Red Crescentas the national society in the Palestinian territories andboth societies agreed to respect the other's jurisdictionand to operate in accordance with Red Cross rules, the Associated Press reported.--SPA1415 Local Time 1115 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/306121