Israel was admitted to the European branch of the Interpol

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said last week that the international police agency Interpol had accepted Israel into its European region. Rosenfeld added that the decision came during Interpol's general assembly held week before last in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
 
The decision to accept Israel to the European region ended long period during which Israel had been part of the Asia region. Five years ago Israel applied for a European membership which was denied. The five-year wait reflected traditional European concern of angering Arab nations.