{news} GP RELEASE Greens to OECD: Reject Israel's bid for membership until Israeli gov't observes human rights

[Justine McCabe]

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, May 20, 2010

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty at greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at gp.org


US Greens urge Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to reject Israel's membership application until Israeli government observes international law and the rights of Palestinians

. Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php

. The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27 http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org


WASHINGTON, DC -- Leaders of the Green Party of the United States are urging the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) not to accept Israel's application for membership until Israel observes international law and alters its human rights policies in its treatment of Palestinians.

"Israel continues to violate the OECD's fundamental values and should not be rewarded with increased trade -- which would access to more military contracts," said Michael Canney, Florida Green and member of the Green Party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl).  "Israel's intractable, brutal, and humiliating treatment of Palestinians within its own borders and in the Occupied Territories, including the recent invasion and mass killings of civilians in Gaza, deserves international condemnation.  Greens have called for economic boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel until it reverses its current policies.  The OECD should deny Israel membership until the Israeli government lifts the strangling economic restrictions it has placed on the Palestinian people, cancels the construction of settlements and displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and abides by international law and the OECD's own
 principles."

The OECD's convention, under "Fundamental Values and Likemindedness," states, "These fundamental values include a commitment to pluralist democracy based on the rule of law and respect for human rights, adherence to open and transparent market economy principles and a shared goal of sustainable development."

Formal acceptance of Israel's application for OECD membership will not take place until the latter's ministerial meeting to take place on May 27-28, despite the unanimous vote of the OECD's 31 member countries to admit Israel.

The Green Party of the United States, along with Green Parties throughout the world, have called on national leaders to place strong pressure on Israel to end the occupation, respect Palestinian human rights and equality, and eliminate its nuclear arsenal.  US Greens have supported an economic boycott and cutoff of military aid, since the US contributes billions in aid to Israel (with a $30 billion military aid package pledged to Israel for 2009-2018) that includes weapons used against Palestinians.  Greens everywhere have encouraged negotiation for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict, praised nonviolent Palestinian and Israeli groups working for peace and human rights, and condemned all violence targeted at unarmed civilians.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
. Green candidate database and campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
. Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
. Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
. Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections
. Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

"Greens: President Obama must press Israel to end East Jerusalem settlements"
Press release: Green Party of the United States, April 8, 2010
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=307

"Public Figures Appeal for Delay to Israel's Membership of OECD"
Hold Israel Accountable, May 9, 2010
http://holdisraelaccountable.net/2010/05/09/bnc-press-release/

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee
http://www.bdsmovement.net

The Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27 http://greenpartymeeting2010.wordpress.com
Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
More information: 1-866-41-GREEN, office at gp.org

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
Winter 2010 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog


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