It was not uncommon for a combat medic on the field of battle to be fired upon and to die while collecting and caring for the wounded.

There was a growing recognition of the need to distinguish medical personnel from combatants, to make it easier for military commanders to avoid and protect them.

The 1864 Geneva Convention establishes that a distinctive emblem should be worn by medical personnel on the field of battle as an indication of their humanitarian mission and their non-combatant status.

Magen David Adom is granted protections under the Geneva Conventions as long as they display the Red Crystal in the context of international conflict.

Use of one of the emblems to protect combatants and military equipment with the intent of misleading an adversary is perfidy and is considered a war crime.