Palestine receives quasi-WHO member status; Maldives’ leader hails it as sign of increased global support

Palestine moved close to full recognition by the World Health Organization (WHO) over the weekend, in a decision hailed by Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as “a sign of increased global support for the full statehood of Palestine.”

The World Health Assembly resolution, on “aligning Palestine” status in the WHO with its newly elevated status in the UN General Assembly, was approved on Friday by a vote of 101 in favor, five against and 21 abstaining. 

It gives the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, which has limited governing authority in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, all the rights of WHO member states – short of the vote.

Maldives was one of the countries that co-sponsored and voted in favor of the resolution.

In a post on X on Sunday morning, President Muizzu said the Maldives welcomes the decision, which he said was “a sign of increased global support for the full statehood of Palestine.”

He said that the Maldives’ decision to support the resolution stems from the Maldivian people’s strong support for the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights for statehood and their full membership in international organizations.

“We believe that this is an essential step towards enduring peace,” he added.

In a separate post on X, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said that “this groundbreaking decision is yet another sign that a majority of the world supports the Palestinian cause.

He noted that Palestine will now have a seat among WHO members states, and gain the right to make statements, submit and co-sponsor proposals and amendments, among others.

Zameer said that the Maldives strongly supports the establishment of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and their bid for full membership in international organizations.

The vote at the 77th World Health Assembly signified an important diplomatic victory for the Palestinian Authority – which holds the official reins of internationally-recognized Palestinian institutions.

The vote also came as Israel continues its war on Gaza. The conflict has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble, and displaced the vast majority of residents.

As the assault intensifies, malnutrition has become widespread in Gaza as aid deliveries have slowed to a trickle, and the UN has warned of incipient famine.