Interpol approves Palestinian membership bid

BEIJING: Interpol on Wednesday approved the Palestinian Authority's membership bid, a new victory in its drive for international representation despite strong Israeli opposition, reports AFP.

Israel lobbies hard against Palestinian efforts to join global organisations to advance their goal of statehood. It claimed victory last year when the Palestinian bid to join the global police body was suspended.

Interpol approved the Palestinian application along with a bid by the Solomon Islands during its annual general assembly in Beijing.

"New member countries State of Palestine and Solomon Islands bring INTERPOL's membership to 192," it said on its Twitter account.

It did not detail the voting but candidacies require the approval of a two-thirds majority of countries present at the general assembly, excluding abstentions.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation's negotiations affairs department said on Twitter they had received more than 75 percent of the vote.

"Palestine's membership is the outcome of members defending this organisation's raison d'etre and advancing its core values, and a clear rejection of attempts at cynical manipulation and political bullying," Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said in a statement.

Interpol approves Palestinian membership bid

BEIJING: Interpol on Wednesday approved the Palestinian Authoritys membership bid, a new victory in its drive for international representation despite strong Israeli opposition, reports AFP. Israel lobbies hard against Palestinian efforts to join global organisations to advance their goal of statehood. It claimed victory last year when the Palestinian bid to join the global police body was suspended. Interpol approved the Palestinian application along with a bid by the Solomon Islands during its annual general assembly in Beijing. New member countries State of Palestine and Solomon Islands bring INTERPOLs membership to 192, it said on its Twitter account. It did not detail the voting but candidacies require the approval of a two-thirds majority of countries present at the general assembly, excluding abstentions. The Palestine Liberation Organisations negotiations affairs department said on Twitter they had received more than 75 percent of the vote. Palestines membership is the outcome of members defending this organisations raison detre and advancing its core values, and a clear rejection of attempts at cynical manipulation and political bullying, Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said in a statement.