GAZA (Sputnik) — Palestine has applied to join Interpol, the world’s largest international police organization, continuing the campaign for the recognition of their state by the international community, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday.
The application was signed by the country’s Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who explained that Interpol membership would particularly help Palestine to prosecute those who flee the country while awaiting trial on corruption charges.
In 2010, Palestine controversially joined the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), when its general assembly voted 107-14 to admit the entity as its 195th member.
To date, a total of 135 states have recognized Palestinian statehood.
Israel, backed by the United States, strongly opposes these efforts, arguing that such a state can only be created through negotiations.