By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Ghana has sent back home at least three Israeli citizens who arrived in the country on Wednesday in what appears to be a tit-for-tat move over the alleged unfair treatment of Ghanaian nationals at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel.
Seven Ghanaians, including four government functionaries attending a cyber-security conference in Tel Aviv, were allegedly detained without explanation.
They were released after five hours, while the three others were deported, Ghana’s authorities, which condemned their “humiliating treatment”, stated.
Ghana’s foreign ministry says a senior diplomat from the Israeli embassy in Accra was summoned over the incident, and both countries have agreed to resolve the row amicably.
The ministry noted that the two countries have enjoyed decades of friendly relations, faulting Israel’s alleged unfair actions on its citizens, which it says is inconsistent with their historic ties.
”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 the 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”.
It is not clear why relations between two countries have in recent times deteriorated but analysts said Ghana’s recent stance on the Israel-Palestinian conflict might be responsible.
In September, Ghana condemned Israeli air strikes which hit Qatar, describing the attacks as a “clear violation of international law” and an affront to Qatar’s sovereignty. Israel had targeted senior Hamas leaders who had gathered in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
The previous month, Ghanaian authorities urged Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, describing the civilian suffering there as “heart-breaking”.
President John Mahama donated 40 tonnes of Ghana-made chocolate and cocoa products to Palestinians, reaffirming the country’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
