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    Declaration by the State of Israel made upon ratification on 22 November 2007:

    On 22 November 2007, Israel deposited with the Swiss Federal Council its instrument of ratification of the Protocol III. The instrument contains the following text (original English version):

    «The Government of Israel declares that while respecting the inviolability of the additional distinctive emblem provided for in the “Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (Protocol III)”, it is the understanding of the Government of Israel that the ratification or the implementation of this protocol does not affect any rights acquired pursuant to reservations made by Israel to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949».

    Declaration by the State of Israel made on 5 November 2008:

    On 5 November 2008, the State of Israel deposited with the Swiss Federal Council the following declaration referring to the text contained in the instrument of ratification of the Protocol III deposited by the State of Israel on 22 November 2007 (notification GEN 3/07 of 26 November 2007) (original English version):

    «The Embassy of the State of Israel presents its compliments to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and has the honour to refer to the declaration made by Israel upon ratification of the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.

    In response to questions raised in relation to this declaration, the State of Israel wishes to confirm that this declaration is not intended to enable Israel to derogate from any of the provisions of the Protocol. It also recognizes that under the terms of the Protocol, the Red Crystal, when used as a protective emblem, may not incorporate any additional emblems or combine them as part of the protective emblem.»

    Communication by Switzerland made on 7 November 2008:

    In its capacity as depositary of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, the Swiss Federal Council has the honour to inform the States Parties that Switzerland, as a State Party, replied, on 7 November 2008, to the State of Israel concerning its declaration made on 5 November 2008 as follows (original English version):

    «The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the State of Israel and acknowledges receipt of the Embassy’s note verbale dated 3.11.08 by which the Government of the State of Israel clarifies its declaration made at the ratification, on 22 November 2007, of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (Protocol III).

    The Federal Department thanks the Embassy for this note which makes it clear that the State of Israel respects the Protocol III in its entirety and will therefore solely use the Additional Emblem (Red Crystal) as the distinctive emblem in accordance with said Protocol.»

    Communication by Sweden made on 26 November 2008:

    On 26 November 2008, the depositary received from Sweden the following communication (original English version):

    «The Government of Sweden has closely examined the declaration made by the Government of Israel on 22 November 2007, when ratifying the Protocol Additional III to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, with subsequent clarification in its declaration on 5 November 2008 as well as the following communication made by [Switzerland] on 7 November 2008. In the light of these communications it is the understanding of Sweden that Israel will adhere to the Protocol in its entirety and solely use the Red Crystal as its distinctive emblem.

    It is the expectation of Sweden that all states, in accordance with the object and purpose of Protocol III, join in the effort to disseminate the knowledge of the Protocol and to strengthen the respect of the new additional emblem».
08.12.2005

22.11.2007

22.11.2007, 05.11.2008