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may, without prejudice to their current emblems, make temporary use of any distinctive emblemswhere this may enhance protection. 393Some States have adopted the red crescent, without objection by other States Parties,even though their use of the red crescent did not predate the adoption of the GWS. 394 Israelratified the 1949 Geneva Conventions with the reservation that it will use a Red Shield of Davidas its distinctive sign. 3957.15.2 Control of Display by the Competent Military Authority. Under the direction ofthe competent military authority, the emblem shall be displayed on the flags, armlets, and on allequipment employed in the Medical Service. 396 For example, under military regulations,helmets or vehicles used by the Medical Service might bear the distinctive emblem to facilitatethe respect and protection of medical personnel by the enemy. 397393 AP III art. 2(4) (“The medical services and religious personnel of armed forces of High Contracting Parties may,without prejudice to their current emblems, make temporary use of any distinctive emblem referred to in paragraph1 of this Article where this may enhance protection.”).394 For example, H. Beer, Secretary General, League of Red Cross Societies, and J. Moreillon, Department ofPrinciples and Law, International Committee of the Red Cross, Adoption of the Red Crescent by the IslamicRepublic of Iran, Circular No. 72 (Nov. 5, 1980), reprinted in 20 INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF THE RED CROSS, 316-17 (1980) (“On 4 July 1980 the Islamic Republic of Iran informed the International Committee of the Red Cross andthe League of Red Cross Societies of its decision to adopt the red crescent instead of the red lion and sun as thedistinctive sign of its armed forces' medical service. … On 4 September the Iranian Authorities notified the SwissGovernment, the depositary of the Geneva Conventions, of the adoption by the Islamic Republic of Iran of the redcrescent, and asked it to convey its decision to the States parties to the Geneva Conventions. This the SwissGovernment did on 20 October.”).395 See Israel, Statement on Signature of the GWS, Aug. 12, 1949, 75 UNTS 436 (“Subject to the reservation that,while respecting the inviolability of the distinctive signs and emblems of the Convention, Israel will use the RedShield of David as the emblem and distinctive sign of the medical services of her armed forces.”); Israel, Statementon Ratification of the GWS, Jul. 6, 1952, 96 UNTS 323 (“The instrument confirms the reservations made by Israelupon signature of the Convention.”); Israel, Statement on Signature of the GWS-Sea, Aug. 12, 1949, 75 UNTS 438(“Subject to the reservation that, while respecting the inviolability of the distinctive signs and emblems of theConvention, Israel will use the Red Shield of David on the flags, armlets and on all equipment (including hospitalships), employed in the medical service.”); Israel, Statement on Ratification of the GWS-Sea, 96 UNTS 324 (Jul. 6,1952) (“The instrument confirms the reservations made by Israel upon signature of the Convention.”); Israel,Statement on Signature of the GC, Aug. 12, 1949, 75 UNTS 438 (“Subject to the reservation that, while respectingthe inviolability of the distinctive signs and emblems provided for in Article 38 of the Geneva Convention for theAmelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12, 1949, Israelwill use the Red Shield of David as the emblem and distinctive sign provided for in this Convention.”); Israel,Statement on Ratification of the GC, Jul. 6, 1952, 96 UNTS 326 (“The instrument confirms the reservations made byIsrael upon signature of the Convention.”).396 GWS art. 39 (“Under the direction of the competent military authority, the emblem shall be displayed on theflags, armlets and on all equipment employed in the Medical Service.”); GWS-SEA art. 41 (“Under the direction ofthe competent military authority, the emblem of the red cross on a white ground shall be displayed on the flags,armlets and on all equipment employed in the Medical Service.”).397 Consider AP I Amended Annex I art. 5(4) (“Medical and religious personnel carrying out their duties in the battlearea shall, as far as possible, wear headgear and clothing bearing the distinctive emblem.”).473