UN expected to easily pass resolution allowing Palestinian flag to fly at New York HQ

The UN General assembly is likely to adopt a resolution next week that would allow the Palestinian flag to be raised at the United Nations in time for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' visit to New York, the Palestinian representative to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said Thursday.The 193-nation body will vote on September 10 on the measure, predicted to easily garner enough support for easy passage, according to AFP."We have the votes and we are working to get as many votes as we can," Mansour said.Abbas is scheduled to visit the UN in New York on September 30, in time for the UN to execute its decision, yet Mansour declined to say whether there would be a formal flag-raising ceremony during the PA president's trip."It is a symbolic thing but it is another step to solidify the pillars of the state of Palestine in the international arena and give our people a small hope that the international community is still supporting the independence of the state of Palestine," the Plaestinian envoy added.Last week, the UN General Assembly was presented with a resolution that would allow both the Palestinians and the Vatican to raise their flags alongside the other 193-member nations of the UN."Palestine" and the Holy See currently posses non-member observer status at the United Nations.Israel’s ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor said Palestinian efforts to have their flag raised at the UN alongside those of member states is yet another “cynical misuse” of the UN to score hollow political points, he said Thursday. Prosor formally raised Israel’s objection to the proposal in a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and current president of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa of Uganda.“For 70 years, the United Nations has raised only the flags of full member states,” Prosor wrote. “Even though the Palestinians are attempting to change longstanding protocols and traditions, they have not deemed it appropriate to allow the member states of this organization to debate, discuss or reflect on the consequences and implications of this proposal.”Herb Keinon contributed to this report.