Israel, in response, lauded the move and touted its lobbying efforts as leading to the decision.

"This morning we stopped the Palestinian attempt to become a member of Interpol," stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the vote. "It was a difficult effort, but it bore fruit."

"It reflects what I have said is occurring, which is that Israel`s standing in the international community is changing, as it makes ties with additional nations."

Netanyahu also said, that "it is important to take into account that this battle, the battle in international organizations, reflects not just our interests, but the interests of many nations."

"This battle will most certainly continue," he added.

The vote against the Palestinian Authority`s membership bid was made at Interpol`s 85th General Assembly convened in Bali, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, a joint statement by the Foreign Ministry and Israel Police said: "The vote represents a major achievement and reflects the shift in Israel`s international status and the successes of Israeli diplomacy."

"62 countries have voted in the conference in Bali, Indonesia, against raising the Palestinian request as part of the agenda," the statement added.

The joint police-Foreign Ministry statement added that Israel viewed the Palestinian attempt to join Interpol as "part of the ongoing Palestinian campaign to evade a direct negotiation process and to allocate the conflict to professional international bodies in a way that disrupts their duties."

As a general policy, Israel works to block Palestinian membership to international organizations. Israeli officials have expressed concerns that PA Police officers will leak information to terrorist groups.

Israel sought either to have the Palestinian bid thrown out on a technicality or by swaying one-third of the 190 member states not to approve Palestinian membership.

/JPost/

More about: