In May 2007, Israel was invited to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Supposedly, the OECD rules define certain conditions of membership for states wishing to join - respect for human rights, a commitment to democracy and to the free market.
In the meantime, Israel has been credibly accused of war crimes (in the Goldstone report among others) during the attack on Gaza and of violations of international humanitarian law not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank.
So much for respect for human rights. And democracy? Can a government that controls the lives of millions of people who haven't been able to take part in elections be called "a democracy"? Can militarily governing a civilian population be considered anything other than a dictatorship?
As for the free market, we aren't so convinced about the reality of this concept in our own country or in the other countries that are already members of the OECD - but using the word "free" in a context that includes the occupied Palestinian territories is simply absurd.
Israel is driving an economy of military occupation. The statistics that it presented to the OECD include the West Bank - or rather they include the settler economy. But the calculations of medium income don't include the Palestinians who work in the settlements - for very low wages - and in the account of social services, the exclusion for these services of Palestinian workers who have paid their contributions is not mentioned.
There is no mention at all of the crushed and suffocated economy of the Palestinians under occupation. And the OECD accepts this. The problem of the inclusion in the statistics of illegal settlements is resolved as a technical rather than a political problem, and the Palestinians are once more made invisible. In the words of Israeli economist Shir Hever
"The OECD treats Israel as a country of 7 million citizens, rather than as a state that has 11 million subjects, of whom 4 million are Palestinians who live under occupation. "
There are only a few days left until the 11th May, the date on which the decision of the OECD on Israel's membership is expected. At least if there isn't a strong mobilisation to make them change their minds. !
One vote against is enough to block the entry of a new member state!
It has emerged that the European Union will take a common position, so that the countries that have doubts such as Norway and Turkey are afraid to express their dissent. Belgium and Ireland have shown themselves open to our arguments, but we need to push them to question the bureaucratic EU decision making process.
Let's let them know they are not alone and that they should oppose the membership of Israel without fear. Israel must not be rewarded with the legitimation of war crimes. The OECD would contradict to its own stated principles by accepting Israeli membership. We are asking for coherence!
Sign the letter to the Secretary General of the OECD and to all member states, calling on them to vote against Israeli membership.
Rewarding Israel for human rights violations will not bring peace or justice.
More information on the Economy of the Occupation
