Red Cross urges Israel to refrain from allegations against Red Crescent

The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling on Israel to refrain from making allegations that a Red Crescent rescue team ignored Israeli terror victims in the West Bank, while not directly denying the claim.

The ICRC says the Palestinian Red Crescent’s “record of principled and strictly humanitarian action is uncontested and well recognized.”

“What we call on for now is for all to act responsibly and better support both national societies,” the statement reads, referring to the Red Crescent and Magen David Adom. “That includes refraining from making serious accusations against either National Society that do not take into account the facts on the ground. The ICRC is determined to ensure that the sick and injured persons receive impartial, professional and timely help.”

The statement does not say if the ICRC contests the Israeli claim, made by victims of a deadly shooting attack in the southern West Bank Friday, but says it takes claims of impartiality seriously, while repeating the Red Crescent’s claim that it only left the scene when an MDA ambulance showed up.

“The PRCS has immediately provided factual accounts, firmly rejected these allegations, and unequivocally reaffirmed its commitment to impartial response,” the statement reads.