WHO Approves Resolution to Raise Palestinian Flag at Headquarters

Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) General Assembly has adopted a resolution to raise the flag of the State of Palestine at its headquarters, aligning with the actions of other member states. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the resolution gained support from 95 countries, while four countries-Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany-opposed it, and 27 countries chose to abstain. Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi, Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations in Geneva, highlighted the symbolic nature of the resolution during his address to the General Assembly, emphasizing that it signifies Palestine's role within the international community in supporting health issues. Ambassador Khraishi expressed hope for Palestine to achieve full membership in the WHO and other United Nations institutions. He responded to the Israeli ambassador's criticism of the resolution as illogical and accused the organization of politicizing its work by mentioning th e ongoing violence against the Palestinian people. He suggested that it might be time to reconsider Israel's membership in international organizations due to these actions. Palestine, which currently holds "observer state" status in the WHO, recently received approval from the General Assembly for its membership in the organization's International Health Regulations. This marks a significant advancement, enabling Palestine to benefit from international support during health emergencies and to engage in international cooperation and coordination to enhance healthcare services for its population.