Despite Israel’s fierce opposition to recognizing Palestinian statehood and its pressure on its allies, the worldwide community is in general in favor of recognition.

The Palestinians initially presented their flag-raising initiative as a joint proposal with the Vatican, but the Holy See’s mission quickly made clear it would not co-sponsor the resolution and asked that all references to the Vatican be removed.

The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, welcomed the move, saying it was a show of worldwide support.

In late 2012, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly, 138 in favor and nine against, to upgrade the Palestinians’ status at the U.N.to non-member observer state.

The resolution also requests the Secretary-General to take necessary measures for the implementation of this decision during the 70th session of the General Assembly and within 20 days of its adoption.

“This flag resolution is like the small light of a candle to keep hope alive for the Palestinian people”, he noted, adding it is “another step to solidify the pillars of the state of Palestine in the global arena”. That process, however, has largely been at a standstill since the deadly conflict in Gaza a year ago. Britain abstained, along with at least 10 European Union members states including Germany and the Netherlands.

Abbas is scheduled to speak to the world body on September 30.

Ron Proser, Israel’s United Nations ambassador, criticised the assembly for adopting the resolution, saying “the assembly would vote to declare the Earth is flat if the Palestinians proposed it”.

The flag of Palestine will soon be flying at United Nations headquarters in New York, despite the fact that Palestine is not formally recognized as an independent state.

The Palestinians aspire to make East Jerusalem the capital of a future Palestinian state, while Israel wishes to maintain control of the entire city.

“What the Palestinians need from the United Nations is an acknowledgement of its historic role in dispossessing the Palestinians”, Tamimi said. The Holy See has already announced that it will not exercise the privilege, asking that it not be named in the motion, despite Pope Francis being scheduled to address the General Assembly later this month. The Vatican has officially recognised Palestine as a state.

The UN’s decision is tantamount to sending the message of solidarity with the people of Palestine and highlighting their right to decide their own fate, Gholam-Hossein Dehqani said on Thursday.