Mazal Tov to Israel. A vote on Monday by the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) accepted the Jewish Country onto its roster, alongside Slovenia and Estonia, making the total count of countries, 34.
Said our fearless finance minister Yuval Steinitz, who will receive an official invitation in Paris at the end of the month from the OECD’s finance ministers:
“The significance of this is huge and that is why, as a matter of fact, I decided to treat it as a top priority 10 months ago and enter into a special program to introduce Israel into the organization at a peak time… It is the most respectable international club a small state like Israel can be accepted into…From what we know about other states, in the years following the acceptance there is a rise of billions of dollars in foreign investments in the state accepted…There is also a political gain here. We are receiving a stamp of approval… that Israel belongs to the world’s most advanced and developed countries, and not just financially – in civil rights, a clean and independent court system, regulations, equality, and steps to eliminate discrimination.”
Manufacturers Association President Shraga Brosh said:
“Israel’s membership with the organization constitutes a label of quality.”
Treasury chief Haim Shani had this to say:
“The joining of Israel to the organization points to the trust companies have in Israel’s economy and solidity. I believe the new membership will help Israel’s society and economy progress, attract foreign investors, and develop the market.”
OECD Secretary-General Angel GurrÃa put it like this:
“Estonia, Israel and Slovenia, along with Chile that has just deposited its instrument to become a full member, will contribute to a more plural and open OECD that is playing an increasingly important role in the global economic architecture…This new chapter in the history of the Organisation confirms our global vocation as the group of countries that search for answers to the global challenges, and establish standards in many policy fields such as environment, trade, innovation or social issues.â€
The study also showed, sadly, that Israeli achievement test scores were substantially lower than in other Western nations. In some instances Israel had scores which were lower by a margin as wide as 20 points. 
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