English: On December 7, 2005, at an international conference, a new symbol was endorsed for use by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement societies of the world. It will appear as a flag and as a logo on arm bands, buildings, vehicles, ships, etc. The Geneva Convention of 1949 which gives international legal standing to the existing symbols – the Red Cross and the Red Crescent – will be modified accordingly.

The new symbol, known as the Red Crystal, is not intended to replace any existing symbol but rather to offer an alternative that will have international recognition. For example, it will allow an option for a country that does not wish to choose between the cross and the crescent. Israel can utilize the Red Crystal internationally and still continue within Israel to employ its own Red Shield of David symbol.

The three symbols and the flags bearing them are subject to detailed restrictions regarding display in order to avoid abuses by combattants during wartime. For example, no exact shade red is established nor is the size of the symbol on a flag specified, lest challenges arise about whether or not a given symbol was proper.