INDONESIA - Normalizing Ties with Israel
Indonesia is expected to normalize ties with Israel as part of its bid to become the 39th member of the OECD, a diplomatic source revealed.
The potential for Israeli-Indonesian normalization came about because all Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development countries, including Israel, have to approve its membership bid to that international economic organization.
Plans for the two countries to normalize ties had proceeded under the Biden administration but were scuttled as a result of the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7 when the terror group invaded the Jewish state.
“I am pleased to confirm that Council has formally agreed to a clear and explicit pre-condition that diplomatic relations must be established with all OECD Members before any decision to invite Indonesia to become a Member of the Organization,” [OECD Secretary-General Mathias] Cormann wrote.
“I share your expectation that this process will be a transformative one for Indonesia. I am looking forward to a positive change in Indonesia’s policies in general and vis-à-vis Israel in particular, notably renouncing its discriminatory policies toward Israel and establishing bilateral diplomatic relations,” the foreign minister [Israel Katz] said.
-www.jpost.com, 11 April 2024
Arno's Commentary
Indonesia has about 280 million inhabitants, of which 87.2% are Muslim and about 9.9% Christian (including Catholics).
Based on the CIA Factbook, the country spreads over 13,466 islands; it’s also the world’s largest Muslim state by population. To be a member of the coveted OECD club, Indonesia is required to recognize Israel. What is the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)? An international organization that “builds better policies for better lives.” It is headquartered in Paris, France and was founded on 30 September 1961.
At present, there are 38 member states (countries). The purpose? “The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a unique forum where the governments of 37 democracies with market-based economies collaborate to develop policy standards to promote sustainable economic growth.” Collectively, they make up 62.2% of global nominal GDP ($49.6 trillion). As such, the term “OECD countries” is often used to signify or differentiate the rich countries of the world from the poorer “developing world.” Many Central and South American countries have filed applications for membership to this prestigious group.
Wikipedia explains: “The OECD's headquarters are at the Château de la Muette in Paris, France, which housed its predecessor organization, the Organization for European Economic Co-operation. The OECD is funded by contributions from Member countries at varying rates and had a total budget of €338.3 million in 2023, and is recognized as a highly influential publisher of mostly economic data through publications as well as annual evaluations and rankings of Member countries.”
This is just another step toward integration of the nations of the world, to form super-structures that eventually will merge into one, according to Bible prophecy.
The OECD and many other movements and organizations the world over have the similar goal of peace, prosperity, and security for all.
We emphasize that the Christian population in Indonesia is almost 10%. Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world after the USA, India, and China. The good news is that the Church in Indonesia is growing, fulfilling the words we read in Acts 2:47b: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
