Interpol approves membership for State of Palestine over Israeli objections

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Interpol voted on Wednesday to admit the State of Palestine as a member over Israeli objections at the international police organization's general assembly in Beijing. Shortly before the vote in Beijing, the Israeli foreign ministry acknowledged that it had failed in its efforts to delay Palestinian acceptance for another year, Reuters reported. Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki hailed the Interpol vote in a statement, saying that “this victory was made possible because of the principled position of the majority of Interpol members.”

“On this joyous occasion, the State of Palestine reiterates its commitment to upholding its obligations and contributing to fighting crime and furthering the rule of law,” al-Maliki added. According to Interpol’s website, Palestinian inclusion was “approved by a more than two-thirds majority vote.”

Seventy-five nations voted in favor of Palestine joining in organization, with 24 voting against and 34 abstaining in the Chinese capital, Haaretz reported. The Solomon Islands also was admitted, bringing Interpol to 192 members. Palestine gained a status of “non-member state” from “entity”, like the Vatican, at the United Nations in 2012 and since then has joined more than 50 international organisations and agreements, including the international criminal court and the United Nations heritage body, Unesco.
Along with the Solomon Islands, the State of Palestine joins Interpol despite objections from Israel.