#BDS: OECD threatens to cancel J'lem conference over minister's remarks

Secretary-General of prestigious group sends letter implying conference scheduled to take place in Jerusalem in late October may be canceled over Tourism Minister Misezhnikov's statements that gathering constitutes recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

The Organization of Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) is threatening to cancel a conference scheduled to take place in Jerusalem in late October, Ynet learned.

A letter sent by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria implied that statements made by Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov suggesting that by holding the conference in Jerusalem the group recognizes the city as Israel's capital may jeorpordise the meeting.  

"In order to go forward with this meeting on the current basis, the Tourism minister should correct the misperceptions created and put the meeting in its proper perspective," the letter stated.

Gurria was referring to statements made by Misezhnikov in an interview with Haaretz in which he claimed that a gathering in Israel under OECD auspices "constitutes a declaration of intent and a seal of approval on the fact that we have a state whose recognized capital is Jerusalem."