RAMALLAH, May 11 (JMCC) -
Israel’s acceptance into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is the payoff for re-engaging in the proximity talks with the Palestinians says Aluf Benn. The OECD includes no Arab nations, and its only Muslim member, Turkey, voted for Israel’s inclusion on Monday.
Acceptance to the OECD is part of a fixed formula that was inaugurated during the early days of the peace process. Israel makes concessions to the Palestinians and receives something in kind from the West: more openness, more investments and more business.
The intention of the member states may be to encourage Israel’s engagement in the
peace process. But for Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, membership allows Israel to normalize its relationship with Western nations on issues not relating to the occupation.
Read more at
Haaretz…