Palestinians have raised their flag at the headquarters of the UN cultural agency in Paris in a historic move and symbolic boost for their push for an independent state. Cheers rose alongside the red, black, white and green flag during a ceremony held in the rain on Dec 13. “This is truly a historic moment,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said at the ceremony, his speech punctuated by rousing applause and standing ovations. “We hope this will be a good auspice for Palestine to become a member of other organisations,” he said. Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland, reportedly said from Paris, “It was a moment steeped in symbolism”.
Palestine was admitted as a member of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in an October vote that prompted the US to cut off funds to the agency. The Palestinians also are seeking full-fledged UN membership, but Washington has threatened to veto that move, saying a negotiated settlement with Israel should come first. Abbas said that efforts were continuing to gain full UN membership and admission to other international institutions.