Palestinians to raise flag at WHO for the first time after vote
Global Times
By Global Times Published: May 27, 2025 10:45 AM
The Palestinian delegation won the right to fly their flag at the World Health Organization following a symbolic victory in a vote on Monday that its envoy hopes will lead to greater recognition within the United Nations and beyond.
The proposal, brought by China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and others, at the global agency's annual assembly in Geneva passed with 95 in favor and four against — Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic and Germany — and 27 abstentions, according to Reuters on Monday.
It follows a successful Palestinian bid for membership in the UN General Assembly last year and comes amid signs that France could recognize a Palestinian state. In apparent reference to the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Lebanon's delegate Rana el Khoury said that the vote's outcome provided "a small ray of hope for the brave Palestinian people whose suffering has reached unbearable levels," Reuters reported.
Israel argued against the WHO resolution and called for a vote. Its main ally, the US, which plans to exit the WHO, did not participate, the report said.
Even though almost 150 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, most major Western and other powers have not, including the US, Britain, France, Germany and Japan.
France and Japan voted in favor of the proposal while Britain abstained.
"It is symbolic and one act but a sign that we are part of an international community to help on health needs," the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi, told Reuters. "I hope we will soon have full membership of the WHO and all UN forums."
Last week, the Palestinians won the right to receive notifications under the WHO's International Health Regulations — a set of global rules for monitoring outbreaks.
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