Raising the flags of non-Member Observer States at the World Health Organization

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• This resolution follows from the June 2024 decision by the WHO to upgrade the Palestinians' status at the organization, effectively rewarding the Palestinians for their repeated rejection of peace offers and ongoing terror campaign against Israel, including the October 7th Hamas massacre and its aftermath, which prompted this upgrade process.
• While the resolution does not expressly condemn Israel, it is part of the Palestinian lawfare campaign against Israel in international bodies that advances the legitimacy of a Palestinian state while delegitimizing Israel through increasingly extreme attacks that aim to isolate Israel in the international arena.
• These types of resolutions are counterproductive to peace because they encourage both Palestinian recalcitrance in negotiations and their resort to terrorism as a means to achieve diplomatic victories.

Main Sponsors

Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, WHA78/26

Vote

Yes - 95, No - 4, Abstain - 27, Absent - 66

See Full Vote

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

• "Recalling that Palestine became a non-member observer State at the United Nations on 29 November 2012, and recalling also in this regard United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 and previous relevant resolutions."
• "Recalling further resolution WHA77.15 of 1 June 2024 on aligning the participation of Palestine in the World Health Organization with its participation in the United Nations."
• "DECIDES that the flags of non-member observer States at the United Nations shall be raised at the World Health Organization headquarters and WHO offices following the flags of the Member States of the World Health Organization in the alphabetical order, without prejudice to their participation as an observer State, and that this does not constitute Member State status in the World Health Organization."