RI Government Rejects Claims of Secret OECD Deal with Israel
Jakarta, indonesianpost.com – Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has dismissed claims that Indonesia engaged in secret negotiations with Israel concerning its bid for membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The allegations, reported by Israeli news outlet Ynet, suggested that Indonesia and Israel had held confidential talks aimed at “normalizing” relations in exchange for Israel’s support for Indonesia’s OECD membership application in 2024.
“There was no such meeting,” Mahendra stated on Thursday in Jakarta.
He further clarified that the claim of seeking to “normalize” relations between the two countries was unfounded, as Indonesia and Israel do not have diplomatic ties.
While Israel did express its willingness to support Indonesia’s OECD candidacy, this was reportedly on the condition that Indonesia would establish diplomatic relations with Israel—a request that was firmly rejected by the Indonesian government.
Mahendra also emphasized that the process of securing membership in international organizations, including the United Nations, does not require establishing diplomatic relations with all member states.
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“I attended the OECD meeting in Paris at the end of March 2025, where I delivered a speech alongside the President of Guatemala. No issues such as those mentioned in the Israeli report were discussed at the meeting,” he said.
The minister underscored that Indonesia’s bid for OECD membership is not contingent upon Israel’s support or position.
The topic of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Israel resurfaced recently following President Prabowo Subianto’s statement reaffirming Indonesia’s commitment to a two-state solution for resolving the Palestine-Israel conflict.
Indonesia has consistently advocated for the independence of Palestine as a key resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“Israel must first recognize the independence of Palestine. Based on that recognition, Indonesia will consider opening diplomatic relations with Israel,” Mahendra concluded. (BL)