Is Israel hampering Indonesia’s efforts to join OECD given Jakarta’s support for Palestinian cause?

Indonesian officials have dismissed claims that Israel is delaying Jakarta’s application to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

But analysts say Indonesia may have to boost diplomatic ties with Israel or leverage its relationship with OECD nations, to hasten its application

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo greets a farmer at the paddy field area in Pekalongan, Central Java province. Indonesia has been a key partner of the OECD since 2007 and Widodo has ramped up the nation’s efforts to join the group. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:18pm, 7 Feb 2024Updated: 7:40pm, 7 Feb 2024

Indonesian officials have dismissed claims that the nation’s bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is being hampered by member nation Israel due to diplomatic tensions between the two countries over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, saying the nation’s application was still being processed normally.

However, Indonesia would have to increase its diplomatic efforts with Israel, which could be “very unpopular” among the Indonesian public, or leverage its relationship with other OECD members for its application to ultimately be successful, analysts said.

Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto on Monday said Indonesia was having discussions with the OECD about its membership, and that a decision was yet to be made.

“We’re still in the application [phase]. After this, we need to create a road map and adhere to it. [The proposal] may be approved or not. The process is still lengthy,” he said.

His comments about the country’s membership came after Sunday reports by Nikkei Asia that Indonesia’s accession to the group “faces uncertainty due to objections” by Israel, citing anonymous diplomatic sources. Israel’s qualms were reportedly brought up during a meeting of OECD ambassadors on January 29 and 30.