GENEVA: The Palestinian delegation won the right to fly their flag at the World Health Organization after 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.
It follows a successful Palestinian bid for membership of 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 the vote’s outcome provided “a small ray of hope for the brave Palestinian people whose suffering has reached unbearable levels.”
Israel argued against the WHO resolution and called for a vote. Its main ally, the United States, which plans to exit the WHO, did not participate.
Even though almost 150 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, most major Western and other powers have not, including the United States, 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.”
Palestinians seek statehood in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
They have official observer state status at the WHO, which is currently undergoing a transformation as it looks ahead to life without its biggest donor the United States.
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.
Palestinians to raise flag at WHO for the first time after vote
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Palestinians to raise flag at WHO for the first time after vote
Israeli military says missiles launched from Iran toward Israel
- Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported several injuries from the Iranian strikes near Tel Aviv
JERUSALEM: Israel’s military said Wednesday that it detected missiles heading toward the country from Iran and had activated air defenses, as it pressed a “wave” of strikes against Iran and Lebanon.
“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said on its official Telegram account.
AFP journalists heard air raid sirens sounding in Jerusalem and the sound of explosions in the distance.
A short time later, Israel’s military said it was permitted to leave shelters.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services reported no immediate injuries following the missile fire, but said its teams were treating “a small number of people who were injured on their way to protected areas.”
Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported several injuries from the Iranian strikes near Tel Aviv.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a satellite communications center in Haifa, along with military bases in Israel, and US targets elsewhere in the Middle East including Iraqi Kurdistan and the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain.
“We will continue our sustained attacks with purpose and power, and in this war, we contemplate nothing but the enemy’s complete surrender,” the Guards said on their website Sepah News.
