(Image source from: Palestinian flag rose for first time at United Nations})
For the first time on Wednesday, the Palestinian flag was raised by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the United Nations with a promise to get it raised soon in the capital of Palestinian state, Jerusalem.
It was termed as a day of "pride" and "hope" for Palestinians world-wide, by the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “It will lead to the unfurling of the Palestinian flag in its proper place among the family of nations as a sovereign member state of the United Nations,” Ban said.
President’s words were applauded by over 300 ministers, well-wishers and diplomats crowded at U.N. headquarters. In the rose garden, a temporary flagpole was erected for the ceremony. Among the crowd were, foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran besides ambassadors from several countries including France. According to the U.S. Mission, as the US does not recognize the state of Palestine, no representative was sent.
It was described by Abbas as a historic moment on the road to Palestinian independence. In November 2012 at the United Nations, Palestine was designated as ‘non-member observer state’. Several countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America recognize Palestinian statehood.
There was eruption of cheers and shouts saying, “Peace! Peace! Palestine!” as the Palestinian flag that with black, white, green and red went up the flagpole.
Campaign by Palestinians
Earlier, a campaign was run by Palestinians for a General Assembly resolution. On 10 September, It was overwhelmingly approved. Thus, U.N. observer states were allowed to fly their flags along with 193 U.N. member states. The two non-member U.N. observer states include Holy See and Palestine.
The Holy See flag was raised along with other 193 U.N. member state flags, unlike Palestinians. It was done last Friday without any ceremony or fanfare before the arrival of Pope Francis for addressing the General Assembly. Already, a permanent flagpole for Palestinian flag was placed beside it.
-Sumana
