Palestinian flag at the UN

Today we are one with the Palestinian people celebrating the raising of their flag at the United Nations for the first time in history, following a vote approving the action by the UN General Assembly earlier this month. That the motion to raise the flag passed the General Assembly by an overwhelming majority despite opposition from several countries including Israel and the United States signals a significant amount of international support of the Palestinian cause.   Now let it translate into a tangible step towards their quest for a Palestinian state.

This is a simple gesture but it had been a long time coming, after more than two decades of unsuccessful efforts to find peace and deliver the much promised Palestinian state that is free and sovereign. It follows a failed bid by the Palestinians in 2011 to join the international body as a full member state that led the UN general Assembly voting to upgrade its status to that of a "non-member observer state" in 2012.

Although the vote was symbolic, we believe, symbols are important and sometimes, necessary. The black, green, red and white of the Palestinian flag fluttering free among the flags of the community of nations would be a stark reminder of Israeli occupation and injustice.

However, a positive outcome in this regard is unlikely unless Israel changes its policy toward a free Palestine respecting the aspirations of the Palestinian people and fulfilling its obligations under international law and the international community brings to bear its full diplomatic weight on Israel to do so.