The Palestinian delegation secured approval to have their flag displayed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) following a vote held on Monday.
During the World Health Assembly (WHA), delegates backed a proposal permitting non-member observer states of the United Nations to fly their flags at WHO headquarters and offices. This decision clears the way for the Palestinian flag to be flown alongside those of WHO member states.
The measure passed with 95 votes in favour, 4 against — cast by Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany — and 27 abstentions. The adopted text stipulates that flags of non-member observer states will be displayed in alphabetical order following those of WHO member states. However, it clarifies that this move does not imply full membership status within the organisation.
The debate centered on the Palestinian flag and referred to UN General Assembly Resolution 70/15 as the legal foundation for raising it.
The resolution was introduced by a coalition of countries including Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
