Israel in OECD

On Monday, the OECD voted unanimously to accept Israel’s application for membership. This exclusive organization brings together the top democratic countries and works to coordinate their social, environmental and economic policies. Israel’s acceptance is no small accomplishment and is recognition of the Jewish state’s role in the global economy.

By welcoming Israel, the OECD member-countries have recognized that the Jewish state is a leading democratic and free-market nation, and a major player in the international community. OECD membership will bring Israel new business opportunities, increased access to international capital, a stronger credit rating and an exclusive forum through which to forge strong relationships.
While Israel will benefit economically from its inclusion in the OECD, the significance of this approval extends far beyond dollars and cents. This is truly a historic moment for the Jewish state. It is not often that a major international institution treats Israel with such respect. As a member of the OECD, Israel joins nations such as Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States on the economic and political stage.
Israel’s acceptance into the OECD was not easy. All 31 member states had to agree to approve Israel’s application. If one country voted no, Israel would have been rejected. While no Arab states are in the OECD—being a democracy is required for membership—some Arab leaders actively lobbied member-nations to bar Israel’s entry into the exclusive and prestigious organization. However, President Bush and President Obama were instrumental in pushing Israel’s application through the approval process.
President Bush helped Israel launch its OECD membership application in 2007 and ensured that the organization formally opened discussions on approving the Jewish state. And since coming into office, President Obama has made sure that Israel would be judged on its economy and governing structures—and not the politics of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Congress also played an important role in pushing for Israel’s OECD accession. In 2005, the House of Representatives approved a resolution of support co-authored by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and the late Tom Lantos (D-CA). A similar resolution, authored by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Norm Coleman (R-MN), was unanimously approved by the Senate in 2007.
America’s leadership and support of its closest ally made this crowning achievement possible. Together we can celebrate not only Israel’s acceptance into the community of leading democracies, but also the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship.