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

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.

Last month, OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann confirmed that a formal request from Indonesia had been received and was being considered by the OECD council, which includes representatives from all 38 member states, including Israel.

According to the Nikkei report, Israel’s objection may hurt Indonesia’s chances of joining the OECD as the grouping requires unanimity to make decisions, including on the accession of new members.

“This could become a constraint for Indonesia,” said Ahmad Rizky M. Umar, a researcher of Indonesian foreign policy at Australia’s University of Queensland.

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and has been a long-time supporter of Palestine.

Last month, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her country’s delegation walked out during an address by Israel at a United Nations Security Council meeting.

The ministry later said the walkout was in response to the Israeli permanent representative also being absent while Indonesia and several other countries from the Organisation of