The General Assembly adopted a Palestinian-sponsored resolution Sept. 10 permitting non-member observer states to raise their flags at the world body’s headquarters alongside those of member states.
The symbolic move came as Palestinians step up efforts for international recognition of their statehood, despite fierce opposition from Israel and its allies.
The state of Palestine and the Holy See are the only non-member observer states at the UN.
Speaking at the ceremony, the UN chief said the event “reflects the commitment of the Palestinian Authority to pursue the long-held dream of the Palestinian people for their own state.
“It also symbolizes the longstanding commitment of the United Nations to support Palestinian aspirations,” Ban said, adding however that the ceremony does not represent the end-goal of a two-state solution with Palestinians and Israelis living side-by-side.
Photo: (L-R) Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attend a ceremony to raise the Palestinian flag for the first time at the United Nations headquarters on September 30, 2015 in New York, USA. (Hakan Göktepe – Anadolu Agency)
During his address to the General Assembly, Turkish PM Davutoglu said that hoisting the Palestinian flag is a “significant step toward enabling the parties to stand at an equal footing at the table, for a healthy negotiation process that leads to an equitable and sustainable peace”.
The flag was raised in front of the UN secretariat building at the northeast side of First Avenue and 42nd Street, alongside the flag of the Vatican.