Palestine, Holy See flags raised at UN in Nairobi

The Palestinian and the Holy See flags were for the first time raised at the United Nations in Nairobi on Thursday.

The two flags were raised at the entrance of the main gate at UN Office in Nairobi (UNON) at empty flagpoles that have been set up at the end of the member states flags.

The Holy See flag was the first to be raised, followed closely by that of Palestine along with the flags of the UN's 193 member states.

"The raising of the flags of Palestine and the Holy See serves to raise our hopes that, through collective action, the complex and inter-connected challenges of our time can be effectively addressed," UNON Director-General Sahle Work Zewde said.

The historic moment came after the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the raising of flags by non-member observer States at the United Nations in Sept. 10. The motion passed with 119 votes in favour, while 45 countries abstained and eight voted against, among them Israel, the U.S. and Australia.

The brief ceremony at the UN compound in Nairobi was witnessed by envoys from the Arab world and the United Nation staff.

Zewde observed that it is the wish of human kind that the inter-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding will help build a more peaceful and harmonious world, as the ideals laid out in the UN Charter 70 years ago can be realized for the benefit of present and future generations.

"Raising these two flags is an important act of symbolism since it reflects the commitment of the Palestinian Authority to pursue the long-held dream of the Palestinian people of their own State and the longstanding commitment of the UN to support Palestinian aspirations," she said.

She however noted that the resumption of meaningful negotiations and the renewal of Palestine and Israel's commitment to a negotiated peace that would allow the two States to live side by side is a matter of great urgency.

In 2012, the UNGA recognised Palestine as a "non-member observer state", a position also held by the Vatican. That followed a failed push for full member state status a year earlier.

Palestine's Deputy Permanent Observer to UNEP and UN Habitat Fares Alqub said that the occasion is a step towards materializing sovereignty and statehood, and a reflection of Palestine's determination to become a full-fledged member of the UN.

"The event confirmed the long-standing principled position of the international community in support of a just and peaceful solution to the plight of the people of Palestine through the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination," he said.

Alqub noted that the action reemphasized the established position that they do not recognize the illegal actions of the occupation, including illegal settlements, which aim at denying Palestinians their basic and fundamental rights to freedom by destroying the practicability of the two state solutions, and with it, the prospects of peace.

"The flag is a summary of the Palestine's plight for freedom and justice and that it is a peaceful gesture to the whole world that justice and independent is available if the Israel government comply with the international legitimacy and the UN resolutions, to withdraw from the occupied Palestine territories," Alqub added.

The Palestinian official said that raising the Palestinian flag should remind the world of the occupation and its injustice.

He however condemned the international system for failing to fully discharge its obligation in providing peace and security to the Palestinian people.

He added that every day that passes by takes the people further away from the two-State solution and the threat that represents the Palestinian people and the world as a whole.

While raising the flag would not end the occupation, it would signify to Palestinian people everywhere that the international community supported them.

The Holy See was accorded a non member observer state in 1964 while Palestine joined in 2012.

The Holy See was represented by Marco Ganci. The occasion was also attended by the Acting Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Group, Maandi Saad. Endit