Indonesia denies considering ties with 'Israel' for OECD membership
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Israeli media suggests that Indonesia might consider establishing diplomatic relations with "Israel" in return for membership in the OECD, but Indonesia denies this.
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OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and Indonesian President Joko Widodo meet at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on August 10, 2023. (Indonesian Presidential Press Bureau)
Indonesia has refuted rumors suggesting Jakarta's consideration of establishing diplomatic relations with "Israel" to secure a position within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Indonesia is seeking membership in the affluent-country group as a pathway to achieving advanced economic status. Although formal discussions for accession have commenced, Indonesia requires unanimous approval from all OECD members, including "Israel", which has been a member since 2010.
Israeli media outlet Ynet recently alleged that Indonesia, "Israel", and the OECD had engaged in secret negotiations. These discussions centered on the potential normalization of relations between Indonesia and the occupation. In return, "Israel" would reportedly support Indonesia's bid for OECD membership.
The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry has dismissed these rumors, affirming that Jakarta's position on Palestine remains steadfast. This encompasses its advocacy for a two-state solution, where "Israel" and Palestine coexist as independent states alongside each other.
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“To this day, there are no plans to open diplomatic ties with Israel, especially in the midst of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. Indonesia’s stance has not changed and we consistently remain firm in support of Palestine’s independence within the framework of the two-state solution."
The OECD officially initiated discussions for Indonesia's membership in February. Secretary-General Mathias Cormann announced that a roadmap was being prepared for Indonesia to adhere to. According to Lalu, Indonesia intends to adopt this roadmap in May.
Furthermore, Indonesia will undergo a comprehensive review process to assess its compliance with OECD standards, covering areas such as trade, anti-corruption measures, and public governance.
Indonesia takes 'Israel' to court
Back in January, Indonesia took legal action against "Israel", filing a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Israeli entity's violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to Israeli newspaper Maariv, Jakarta submitted the case to the ICJ in The Hague amid the ongoing brutal bombardment of the besieged enclave by the Israeli entity.
Earlier reports indicated that Indonesia had sought the assistance of a team of experts to draft a case at the ICJ, aiming to hold "Israel" accountable for its "policies and practices" in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Last year, before Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and its impact on public opinion regarding "Israel", Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on March 7, 2023 that they are aiming to sign normalization ties with Mauritania, Somalia, Niger, and Indonesia.
Cohen attempted to initiate relations with Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country. Although Indonesia does not have formal ties with "Israel", they have created unofficial relations in the domains of trade, technology, and tourism in recent years.
Since several Arab countries signed normalization agreements with the Israeli occupation in 2020, several experts have discussed the possibility of Indonesia normalizing relations with "Israel,", especially top US officials.
"Israel" is seeking diplomatic recognition around the world, especially in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Southeast Asia, providing Israeli technical assistance to the armed forces in Burma.
The possibility of Jakarta normalizing relations with "Tel Aviv" was first brought up by former President Abdurrahman Wahid, but the Indonesian public opposes the occupation, and normalization of relations would be strongly opposed by the people and unaccepted politically.
