Decision to raise Palestine flag at WHO headquarters

The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) voted in favor of an important resolution yesterday, which will allow the hoisting of the State of Palestine's flag at the organization's headquarters in Geneva. Palestine's official news agency 'Wafa' reported that 95 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while four countries voted against it — Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany. Another 27 countries, including the United States, abstained from voting. The United States is currently in the process of withdrawing from the WHO.

Speaking at the General Assembly, Ibrahim Khraishi, Palestine's permanent representative to the WHO, said, “This decision is symbolic — it is just a step, but it proves that we are part of the international community contributing to global health issues.” He expressed optimism that Palestine will soon gain full membership in the WHO and other UN forums as well. Wafa referred to the resolution as “an important breakthrough”.

This will increase Palestine's opportunities to receive international aid, especially ensuring appropriate medical services under global coordination and collaborative frameworks to address health crises. Just a week prior, member states at the 78th World Health Assembly of the WHO adopted a decision instructing the organization to regularly present reports on the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan.

The said decision received 104 votes in favor, with four against.