Turkey ‘welcomes’ Palestine's membership in Interpol

By Ercan Canbolat

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s Foreign Ministry "welcomed" earlier on Saturday Palestine's full membership of the global policing network Interpol, despite heavy opposition from Israel.

"We welcome admission of the State of Palestine to INTERPOL as a new member during the 86th meeting of the General Assembly between 26-28 September 2017, held in Beijing," said the Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

On Wednesday, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s diplomatic wing said after delays to the vote, Palestine was voted in by more than 75 percent of member states at the organization's general assembly in China.

The statement said that with the support of Turkey Palestine's the membership was approved with %75,8 of member votes adding: "Turkey will continue its strong support to the State of Palestine on its journey towards gaining its rightful place within international organizations."