The Palestinian flag was raised at the World Health Organization for the first time after a vote.

The Palestinian delegation has won the right to raise its flag at the World Health Organization after a symbolic victory in today's Monday vote. The Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva hopes this will lead to greater recognition within and outside the international organization. The annual meeting in Geneva approved the proposal with a majority of 95 votes, while four countries including Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Germany objected, and 27 countries abstained from voting. This comes after a successful Palestinian attempt to gain membership in the United Nations General Assembly last year, amid indications that France may recognize a Palestinian state. Israeli Ambassador Daniel Meron objected to the World Health Organization's decision, stating that it undermines UN principles and the rules-based order, calling for a vote on it. The United States, Israel's main ally, did not participate in the vote, as it plans to withdraw from the organization. Despite nearly 150 countries recognizing a Palestinian state, most major Western powers, including the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and Japan, have not done so.