Israel pleased as Interpol suspends membership applications

PARIS – Interpol has suspended applications from Palestine, Kosovo and Solomon Islands to join the international police organization, a decision hailed by Israel as a “triumph” for its diplomacy.

Interpol said in a statement Tuesday that it appointed an adviser to be in charge of making recommendations on future memberships. The adviser’s study will be presented at Interpol’s general assembly next year in Beijing.

Interpol says “all current and future applications for membership including those from the Republic of Kosovo, the State of Palestine and the Solomon Islands have been suspended.”

In a joint statement by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israeli Police, Israel accused the Palestinians of politicizing Interpol and said it had “carried out an intensive global effort to thwart the Palestinian initiative over the last few weeks.”