WHO members agree to raise Palestine flag at Geneva headquarters

The World Health Organization (WHO) General Assembly has approved a resolution allowing the flag of the State of Palestine to be flown at the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva. The move, passed during the 78th World Health Assembly, marks a symbolic but meaningful gesture in support of Palestine’s international recognition.

According to reports, 95 member states voted in favour of the resolution, while four-Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany-opposed it. Another 27 countries, including the United States, abstained from voting. The U.S. is currently in the process of withdrawing from the WHO.

Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi, welcomed the resolution during his address to the assembly. “The decision is symbolic - it is just one step, but it proves that we are part of the international community contributing to global health issues,” he stated.

Khraishi expressed optimism that Palestine would eventually secure full membership in the WHO and other United Nations bodies. He emphasized the importance of such recognition in gaining access to international support during health crises and in participating in global coordination mechanisms for healthcare delivery.

The resolution was described by the Palestinian delegation as a “significant step forward,” especially amid ongoing challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Occupied Syrian Golan.

Earlier in the same assembly, WHO member states had adopted a separate decision to continue monitoring and reporting on the health situation in these occupied regions. That resolution passed with 104 votes in favour and four against.