The Palestinian delegation has won the right to fly its flag at the World Health Organization after a symbolic victory in a vote today that its envoy hopes will lead to greater recognition within the United Nations and beyond.

The proposal, tabled by China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, was voted on at the organization’s annual assembly in Geneva with 95 votes in favor, four against (Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany), and 27 abstentions.

It follows last year’s successful Palestinian request for membership in the UN General Assembly and comes in the wake of indications from France of possible recognition of a Palestinian state.

In an apparent reference to the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Lebanon representative Rana el-Huri said the vote result gives a “small ray of hope for the brave Palestinian people, whose suffering has reached intolerable levels.”

Israel argued against the WHO resolution and called for a vote. Its main ally, the US, which plans to withdraw from the WHO, did not participate.

Although nearly 150 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, most major Western countries and other powers have not, including the US, Britain, France, Germany, and Japan.

France and Japan voted for the proposal while Britain abstained.

“It is a symbolic and isolated action, but also an indication that we are part of an international community to help with health needs,” Reuters Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ibraim Hraisi, told Reuters. “I hope we will soon have full membership status in the WHO and all UN forums,” he added.