On May 26, 2025, the Palestinian delegation achieved a significant symbolic victory at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual assembly in Geneva, securing the right to fly their flag at the organization’s headquarters for the first time.

The decision, backed by a vote of 95 in favor, four against, and 27 abstentions, marks a step toward greater international recognition for Palestine, as expressed by their envoy, Ibrahim Khraishi, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.

According to Reuters, the proposal was spearheaded by China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other nations, highlighting a collective push for Palestinian visibility on the global stage.

The vote, held during the WHO’s annual assembly, saw opposition from Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany, while France and Japan voted in favor, and Britain abstained.

Israel’s ambassador, Daniel Meron, argued that the resolution undermined the principles of the United Nations and the rules-based international order, prompting a formal vote on the matter.

Notably, the United States, which has announced plans to exit the WHO, did not participate in the vote.

For the Palestinian delegation, this achievement is more than symbolic. “It is symbolic and one act but a sign that we are part of an international community to help on health needs,” Khraishi told Reuters.

He expressed hope that this milestone would pave the way for full membership in the WHO and other U.N. forums, furthering Palestine’s quest for statehood in territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war.

The vote comes on the heels of a successful Palestinian bid for membership in the U.N. General Assembly in 2024, signaling growing international support.

Additionally, recent indications suggest that France may soon recognize a Palestinian state, adding momentum to the Palestinian cause.

The backdrop of this diplomatic achievement is the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has caused widespread devastation.

Lebanon’s delegate, Rana el Khoury, referenced the conflict, stating that the vote’s outcome offered “a small ray of hope for the brave Palestinian people whose suffering has reached unbearable levels.”

The war, which intensified following Hamas-led attacks in 2023 that killed approximately 1,200 people and abducted 251, has led to significant destruction in Gaza, with Israel’s retaliatory offensive resulting in around 54,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The WHO, where Palestine holds official observer state status, is currently navigating its own challenges, including the impending loss of its largest donor, the United States.

Last week, Palestinians also gained the right to receive notifications under the WHO’s International Health Regulations, a set of global rules for monitoring disease outbreaks, further integrating them into the organization’s framework.

While nearly 150 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, major Western powers, including the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and Japan, have yet to do so.

The support from France and Japan in this vote, alongside Britain’s abstention, reflects a nuanced shift in global attitudes.

The Palestinian flag at the WHO symbolizes not only a diplomatic win but also a broader aspiration for inclusion in international health governance and beyond.

As the WHO undergoes transformation amid funding uncertainties, this decision underscores the organization’s role as a platform for addressing global health inequities, including those faced by Palestinians.

For now, the raising of the Palestinian flag stands as a potent symbol of resilience and a step toward greater recognition within the international community.