Israel Likely to Join OECD in 2010: “If You Have Enough Money, We’ll Call You a Democracy”

Shir Hever, Alternative Information Center (AIC)

To read the whole interview, click here.

General Secretary of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Angel Gurria, visited Israel last week (18-20 January 2010) to launch two new OECD reports: an Economic Survey of Israel and a Review of Israel’s Labour Market and Social Policies. At this time Gurria announced that Israel’s accession to the OECD is likely to occur within the coming six months.

Connie Hackbarth spoke with Shir Hever, Economic Researcher of the AIC, to better understand what this means.

What is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development?

The OECD is an association of developed countries, primarily from the West, which is committed to democracy, the free market and development. Of course, this “development” refers to neo-liberal development and economic policies.

Israeli media reported last week that Israel will become a member of the OECD in the near future.

The General Secretary of the OECD, Angel Gurria, recently announced that despite several “concerns,” Israel will likely join the OECD in the coming six months. At this point it is unclear whether these concerns will have to be resolved before Israel joins, and the fear is that they will not.

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To read the whole interview, click here.