Palestinians say Interpol bid on hold, not defeated
The Palestinian application to join Interpol has been suspended in what Israel is claiming as a diplomatic victory, but the Palestinians are undeterred by the setback.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinian Authority’s efforts to join Interpol failed after its application for membership was suspended in a meeting Nov. 8.
While Israel celebrates the PA's loss, the secretary-general of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, Amin Maqboul, confirmed that the PA will reapply for membership next year. Maqboul told Al-Monitor, “We will not give up on our endeavor to join all international institutions, which would lay strong foundations for an independent state of Palestine.”
Following its 85th meeting Nov. 8, in Bali, Indonesia, the Interpol General Assembly said in a statement that Interpol has suspended Palestine's application and appointed an adviser to recommend a "clear and transparent process with a defined set of criteria for membership." It added that it will consider no new applications until after its 2017 meeting in Beijing.
Of Interpol's 190 member countries, 56 voted in favor of the Palestinian application, 62 voted against and 37 abstained. Palestine needs 125 votes to secure a seat.
