United Nations, October 1 (RHC)-- The flag of Palestine has finally been raised at the United Nations headquarters in an apparent blow to the Israeli regime and the United States who opposed the move until the very last moment.

The flag-raising came following an address delivered by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the 70th annual session of the UN General Assembly. Abbas said during the ceremony that the move should be dedicated to “the martyrs, the prisoners and the wounded, and to those who gave their lives while trying to raise this flag.”

People in the occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority is based, celebrated the historic moment. Residents of Ramallah were watching the ceremony on a large screen set up in Yasser Arafat Square.

“At this historic moment, I say to my people everywhere: raise the flag of Palestinians very high because it is the symbol of our identity,” Abbas told the crowd, adding: “It is a proud day.”

Abbas had earlier expressed hope that the flag-raining could prepare the ground for governments around the world to recognize the state of Palestine.

A resolution approving the flag-raising in the UN came on September 10, when an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members voted in favor. Only eight members, including the United States, Australia and the Tel Aviv regime, voted against the move, while 119 nations said yes and 45 governments abstained.