Palestine raises flag at UNESCO

 

It was a historic day for Palestinians as Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday symbolically hoisted the nation’s flag at the headquarters of the UN cultural agency in Paris, a symbolic boost in their push for an independent state.   The event marked the Palestinians’ admission in October as a full member of the organisation. Some 50 diplomatic guests watched as Abbas lifted the flag to the Palestinian national anthem.

Cheers rose alongside the red, black, white and green flag on Tuesday during a ceremony held in the rain.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.