Palestinians welcome boycott of OECD conference in Jerusalem

Ramallah - The Arab League sent letters to world leaders on Sunday calling for the boycott of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference, set to start Wednesday. Turkey, Britain and Spain have said they will not attend.

"Israeli control over Jerusalem is illegal and the Security Council has been clear on calling all member states not to recognize Israeli claims over the Holy City," Erekat said in a statement.

"By hosting the OECD conference in Jerusalem, Israel seeks de facto recognition of its illegal annexation of East Jerusalem," he charged.

"And by not attending, countries have sent Israel a clear message that it is not a state above the law."

Holding the conference in Jerusalem, he charged, "creates the perception that the OECD is complicit with Israel's provocative and unlawful actions in this occupied city."

The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state.