Ghana has expressed strong condemnation over the treatment of its citizens in Israel, calling the actions “unjustifiable and humiliating.”
In a statement released in Accra, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said seven Ghanaians, including four members of a parliamentary delegation attending an international cybersecurity conference in Tel Aviv, were detained at the airport on Sunday, December 7. They were released only after more than five hours of diplomatic intervention.
Three other citizens were deported to Ghana on the next available flight. Officials in Accra say the pattern indicates Ghanaian travellers may have been deliberately targeted and subjected to mistreatment.
Diplomatic tensions over Israel’s explanation
The ministry rejected Israel’s claim that the deportations were due to alleged non-cooperation by the Ghanaian Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Accra insisted its mission had acted responsibly and followed international law.
Although Ghana and Israel maintain full diplomatic relations and regularly work together on trade, agriculture, health, and security, the airport incident adds strain to a relationship that has faced friction in recent years.
Historical disagreements shape current relations
Ghana-Israel ties have experienced tensions in the past, including during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when Ghana, along with other African states, cut diplomatic ties. Relations were later restored and have grown steadily since.
Current points of disagreement include differing views on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Ghana initially supported Israel after the October 7 attacks, but recent criticism of Israeli military actions in Gaza, described by some Ghanaian officials as genocidal, has caused debate domestically and diplomatic unease abroad.
Israel has also raised concerns over Ghana’s voting patterns at the United Nations and the migration of Ghanaians, with officials warning that visa-free arrangements are unlikely due to overstays.
Despite these disagreements, both countries continue to affirm their commitment to cooperation. Accra says the recent airport incident contradicts the spirit of their longstanding bilateral relationship.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to summon Israeli embassy officials to express its displeasure and is considering possible reciprocal measures. How both governments handle the dispute could influence the resilience of their partnership amid a complex international landscape.