For the first time, members of the Washington delegation of the Palestinian Authority flew the PA flag from the roof of their mission. The flag was raised after a short ceremony, and took place after Russia reaffirmed its recognition of a PA state in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem.

Meeting with PA chief Mahmoud Abbas earlier Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia “supported and will support the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to an independent state with its capital in east Jerusalem."