In a nutshell: Israel wants to use a red Star of David as its symbol, but the Geneva Convention only recognizes the red cross and red crescent as protected symbols. As a result, the international federation only accepts societies that use the cross or crescent. Attempts to amend the convention to allow the Star of David have failed because of Arab objections. Not unreasonably, Israel objects to being forced to use the cross or crescent. Red Cross officials insist, somewhat lamely, that neither the cross nor crescent is religious and propose to mollify the Israelis with a third, neutral symbol—perhaps a diamond. The United States has withheld $5 million, our share of administrative costs, from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.