Yesterday there was the flag-raising ceremony for Palestine, as a non-member observer country. Addressing the meeting, the president of the PA said that the Oslo agreements no longer apply, violated "continuously" by Israel. Objective presidential and parliamentary elections "as soon as possible."

New York (AsiaNews / Agencies) - For the first time in its history, since yesterday the Palestinian flag has been flying at headquarters of the United Nations in New York. The flag-raising ceremony was attended by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who, addressing the Assembly, called it "inconceivable" that the question of their own state remained unresolved over the years. He further added that the PA no longer feels bound by the Oslo Accords reached with Israel in the mid-90s, which have been "continuously violated".

Addressing the UN General Assembly before the ceremony, the president accused Israel of sabotaging peace efforts; Moreover, the ongoing security operations at the al-Aqsa mosque, in Jerusalem, could cause a sectarian war.

"We are determined to preserve the unity of our land and our people," added the Palestinian leader, whose objective is the formation of a "national unity government" acting in accordance with the program outlined by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). He hopes "presidential and parliamentary elections" will be held "as soon as possible."

Although Palestine is not a member of the United Nations, the General Assembly adopted a resolution that allows "non-member observer countries" to raise their flags alongside those of full state members.

To date Palestine - with a vote that was held in 2012 - and the Vatican are the only countries with this status. The year before, Palestine had sought to join the international organization as a full member state. However, the request was not successful because of the lack of support within the UN Security Council.

The decision to raise the flag of Palestine came early last month, with a vote that saw the opposition of Israel, the United States and six other nations. Another 45 countries chose to abstain.

For the United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon yesterday was a "day of pride" for all "Palestinians in the world." Attending the flag-raising ceremony, the head of UN diplomacy called for the realization of the "aspirations that this flag represents", that is of Israel and Palestine living side by side "in peace and security."

Israel’s opposition was voiced by its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ron Prosor, who spoke of a "blatant attempt to hijack" the UN. He also insisted on direct negotiations as the only way for Palestinians to obtain recognition of their own state.

• PALESTINE
• -
• UNITED
• NATIONS
• flag
• member
• status
• peace
• process