UN recognition of British NGO 'victory' for Palestine

The United Nations approved the accreditation for a London-based Palestinian organisation, seen as a "strategic victory" for Palestine.

A 19-country UN committee voted on the Palestinian Return Centre (PRC), with 12 countries approving, including Sudan, Venezuela, Iran, China and Cuba.

Having consultative status means an NGO can attend certain UN meetings.

Israel is launching this huge campaign against us because we defend the right of return for Palestinian refugees

PRC, which researches and monitors issues related to dispersed Palestinians and their right to return, saw the outcome as a "historic, strategic and positive victory for Palestinians".

The approval was also seen as a defeat for Israel, which claims the organisation is affiliated with Hamas and “openly promotes terrorism”.

Last month, Israel circulated a resolution to the committee’s parent body, the 54-member Economic and Social Council, opposing the application.

The United States joined Israel and Uruguay voting against the organisation on Monday, while Russia, India and Greece abstained.

However, the British non-governmental organisation denied the Israeli allegations, saying that claims that it is affiliated with Hamas is "unfounded" and is threatening legal action against the accusation.

"We believe that the only reason Israel is launching this huge campaign against us is due to the simple fact that we defend the right of return for Palestinian refugees" PRC said in a statement.

"Certainly our victory was supported by great powers which refuses the Israeli hegemony backed by American diplomacy."

"This is yet another defeat for the Israeli narrative which  has no credibility whatsoever at international community level. The UN member states and international community in general are fed up of the war crimes, human rights violations and apartheid policies adopted and practiced by Israel, the occupying power" PRC added.