Tension as Ghana deports 3 Israeli nationals

Ghana has deported three Israeli nationals who arrived in Accra on Wednesday, a move seen as a direct response to what officials describe as the unjust treatment of Ghanaian travellers at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport.

According to Ghanaian authorities, seven citizens — among them four members of an official delegation attending a cyber-security event in Tel Aviv — were held for hours without any explanation. They were freed after about five hours, while three others were ultimately sent back. Ghana sharply criticised what it called their “humiliating treatment”.

The foreign ministry confirmed that a senior representative of the Israeli embassy in Accra had been summoned over the incident, adding that both nations had agreed to address the matter through diplomatic channels.

The Israeli embassy  has not yet commented on the development.

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The ministry stressed that Ghana and Israel have enjoyed warm ties stretching back many decades, saying the alleged actions did not reflect the spirit of that relationship.

“The Government of Ghana considers the actions of the Israeli authorities as unfairly targeting Ghanaian travellers and conveys its strong reservations against the humiliating treatment of our citizens,” it said.It added that Ghana “expects our citizens to be treated with dignity and respect in much the same way as other governments expect Ghana to treat their nationals”.

The precise trigger for the dispute remains uncertain, though Ghana’s recent positions on the Israel-Palestinian conflict could be contributing to tensions. In September, Ghana condemned Israeli air strikes on Qatar, describing the attacks as a “clear violation of international law” and an assault on Qatar’s sovereignty. Israel had been targeting senior Hamas figures meeting in Doha. A month earlier, Ghana had appealed for increased humanitarian access to Gaza, calling the civilian suffering “heart-breaking”.

President John Mahama also sent 40 tonnes of domestically produced chocolate and cocoa goods to Palestinians, reiterating Ghana’s longstanding support for a two-state solution and solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Some analysts argue that these developments may have strained relations, particularly if Israel interprets them as unfavourable. However, Ghana maintains it was informed that the dispute stemmed instead from Israeli claims that Ghana’s embassy was not cooperating regarding the deportation of Israeli-based Ghanaian nationals.

Ghana rejects that allegation, insisting its mission in Tel Aviv remains “responsive and compliant with international law”.