Palestinians to raise flag at WHO for the first time after vote
Lebanon's delegate Rana el Khoury said the vote's outcome provided "a small ray of hope for the brave Palestinian people whose suffering has reached unbearable levels." Kena Betancur/ AFP/ File photo
GENEVA — The Palestinian delegation won the right to fly their flag at the World Health Organization after a symbolic victory in a vote on Monday that its envoy hopes will lead to greater recognition within the United Nations and beyond.
The proposal, brought by China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and others, at the global agency's annual assembly in Geneva passed with 95 in favor and four against—Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic and Germany—and 27 abstentions.
It follows a successful Palestinian bid for membership of the UN General Assembly last year and comes amid signs that France could recognize a Palestinian state.
In apparent reference to the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Lebanon's delegate Rana el Khoury said the vote's outcome provided "a small ray of hope for the brave Palestinian people whose suffering has reached unbearable levels."
Israel argued against the WHO resolution and called for a vote. Its main ally, the United States, which plans to exit the WHO, did not participate.
Even though almost 150 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, most major Western and other powers have not, including the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Japan.
France and Japan voted in favor of the proposal while Britain abstained.
"It is symbolic and one act but a sign that we are part of an international community to help on health needs," the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi, told Reuters. "I hope we will soon have full membership of the WHO and all UN forums."
Palestinians seek statehood in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
They have official observer state status at the WHO, which is currently undergoing a transformation as it looks ahead to life without its biggest donor the United States.
Last week, the Palestinians won the right to receive notifications under the WHO's International Health Regulations, a set of global rules for monitoring outbreaks. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
5 hours ago
- GMA Network
Gaza doctors give their own blood to patients after scores gunned down seeking aid
A girl reacts as Palestinians evacuate the wounded from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, June 5, 2025. REUTERS/ Khamis Al-Rifi GENEVA — Doctors in the Gaza Strip are donating their own blood to save their patients after scores of Palestinians were gunned down while trying to get food aid, the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Thursday. Around 100 MSF staff protested outside the UN headquarters in Geneva against an aid distribution system in Gaza run by an Israeli-backed private company, which has led to chaotic scenes of mass carnage. "People need the basics of also need it in dignity," MSF Switzerland's director general, Stephen Cornish, told Reuters at the protest. "If you're fearing for your life, running with packages being mowed down, this is just something that is completely beyond everything we've ever seen," he said. "These attacks have killed were left to bleed out on the ground." Cornish said staff at one of the hospitals where MSF operates had to give blood as most Palestinians are now too poorly nourished to donate. Israel allowed the private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to begin food distribution in Gaza last week, after having completely shut the Gaza Strip to all supplies since the beginning of March. Gaza authorities say at least 102 Palestinians were killed and nearly 500 wounded trying to get aid from the food distribution sites in the first eight days. Eyewitnesses have said Israeli forces fired on crowds. The Israeli military said Hamas militants were to blame for opening fire, though it acknowledged that on Tuesday, when at least 27 people died, that its troops had fired at "suspects" who approached their positions. The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Wednesday supported by all other Council members, which would have called for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza and unhindered access for aid. — Reuters
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- GMA Network
UN urges stronger HIV response as cases among Filipino youth surge by 500%
Amid a staggering 500% increase in HIV cases among young Filipinos, the United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Philippine government in addressing what is now being considered a national public health emergency. Arnaud Peral, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in HIV infections, particularly among individuals aged 15 to 25. 'We have been expressing concern for quite some time about the increasing numbers,' Peral said, noting that the UN, through its joint program UNAIDS and agencies like UNFPA and UNICEF, has been working closely with the Philippines' health department. According to the DOH, over 6,700 new HIV cases were recorded from January to April 2025, averaging 56 new cases daily. This marks a 44% increase from the same period last year, with youth accounting for the bulk of new infections Peral acknowledged the limitations in international funding but emphasized that the Philippines has been receiving support through mechanisms like the Global Fund. 'The resources from the international community are limited, but we have been accessing the Global Fund for the Philippines for a few years,' he said. As the country approaches the mid-term review of its national development plans, Peral stressed the importance of reassessing current strategies. 'The scale of the challenge is also challenging us—to unpack what it means and establish a proper strategy to address it,' he explained. He confirmed that HIV will be a key priority moving forward, with updated data and strategies to be reflected in the upcoming Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 'We will be looking at the latest numbers. That will be published pretty soon in the VNR,' Peral said. 'And definitely on HIV, it's going to be a priority.' The Department of Health has already called on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to declare a national public health emergency, citing the Philippines as having the highest number of new HIV cases in the Western Pacific region. As the crisis deepens, Peral emphasized the need for a united response: 'We are now reviewing how we can support this strategy and national emergency. The whole of society must come together to address this.' — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Jessie J discloses early breast cancer diagnosis
Jessie J has disclosed that she has been diagnosed with early breast cancer. On Instagram, the 'Price Tag' hitmaker shared a video of herself detailing her diagnosis, which she discovered before her latest song 'No Secrets' came out. 'Before 'No Secrets' came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. I'm highlighting the word early,' Jessie shared. 'Cancer sucks in any form, but I'm holding on to the word early. I have been in and out of tests throughout this whole period." According to Jessie, she wanted to be open about her condition to help herself process what she's going through. 'I just wanted to be open and share it. One, because selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I'm not processing it because I'm working so hard. I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories,' Jessie shared. 'I'm an open book. It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much. Similar and worse." Jessie also shared that she will 'disappear for a bit' after the Summertime Ball to undergo breast surgery. 'It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery and I will come back with massive t— and more music," she said. In the comment section, celebrities such as Katy Perry, Leona Lewis, Rita Ora, Little Mix member Leigh Anne Pinnock, expressed their support for Jessie. 'Love you! We all are sending healing energy to youuu…" wrote Katy. "I'm praying for you you've got this. My mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough so I'm here for you," said Rita. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and 670,000 deaths in 2022 alone. In the Philippines, one in four Filipinos develop breast cancer, making it one of the countries with the highest incidences of breast cancer globally. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News
