Palestine hopes to join Interpol this fall
Palestinian officials are working with EU officials to apply for Interpol membership, a major step toward full international recognition.
Palestine is hoping to upgrade its observer status to a full membership in Interpol this fall. The international police organization's 85th General Assembly is set to take place in November in Bali, Indonesia.
It was reported that European police officials are working with the Palestinians to prepare them for the upcoming discussion. Joeri Van Nuffel, the former chief inspector of security at Brussels’ Zaventem airport, has been coaching Palestinian officials. Van Nuffel joined Interpol in 2012 and has been working with the EU Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support. The latter declined to comment as it is a technical office.
The Ramallah-based coordinating office has a staff of 69 international employees and 45 nationals with a budget of 9.2 million euros ($10.3 million), according to its website.
The initiative to create an international organization to fight crime came out of the first International Criminal Police Congress, held in Monaco in 1914. In 1923, it became known as the International Criminal Police Commission, and in 1956, its name was shortened to Interpol.
