The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a motion allowing the Palestinian flag to be flown in front of UN buildings as a nonmember U.N. state despite strong opposition from Israel and the U.S.
The Palestinians and the Vatican are the only two U.N. nonmember observer states.
The red, black, white and green flag will be the first nonmember state to fly among the U.N.’s 193 member states along First Avenue in front of U.N. headquarters in New York.
It is expected to be raised on 30 September when President Mahmoud Abbas is due to address world leaders at the UN General Assembly .
119 nations voted in favour, 45 abstained while 8 countries including Australia voted against the resolution.
Raising flags of non-member Observer States at the #UN resolution adopted! The #Palestinian flag will fly! #PalFlag pic.twitter.com/c1AAVBYxp0
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) September 10, 2015
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah told reporters that he strongly believes this marks another step towards recognition of Palestinian statehood. “It’s a step to the recognition of Palestine as a full member state of the United Nations,” Hamdallah said in Paris. At the same time, US Ambassador Samantha Power expressed concern that flying the flag at the UN will only create more tension between Israelis and Palestinians. The resolution also means the flag of the Vatican can now be raised.
Here is complete voting record on #Palestinian flag-raising resolution at #UN. 119 yes, 8 no, 45 abstained pic.twitter.com/tBx7924Wb7 — Anonymous Palestine (@PalAnonymous) September 10, 2015
