RAMALLAH, Palestine: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Friday praised the countries which sided with “justice” by voting for the Palestinians to be allowed to raise their flag at the UN headquarters. The U.N. General Assembly, by a two-thirds vote, adopted a resolution Thursday allowing the flags of Palestine and the Holy See – both of which have nonmember observer status – to be hoisted alongside those of member states.

Abbas paid tribute to the countries which approved the resolution, saying, “They have placed themselves on the side of right and justice,” the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. “The struggle will continue until the Palestinian flag flies over our eternal capital, occupied Jerusalem.”

The flag is expected to be hoisted ahead of a Sept. 30 visit by Abbas to address the General Assembly.

Thursday’s resolution was adopted by 119 members while eight – including Israel and the U.S. – voted against and 49 abstained.

Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Ron Prosor, criticized the decision, saying that “it will not help the Palestinian people” and insisting the “only way to achieve statehood is through direct negotiations.”