The Government of Ghana has deported three Israeli nationals who arrived in the country on Wednesday, December 10, 2205, in direct retaliation for the “ill-treatment and unjustified deportation” of three Ghanaian travellers by Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion International Airport earlier this week.
In a press release issued late Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the three Israelis were refused entry and immediately placed on the next available flight out of Kotoka International Airport.
The statement described the action as a necessary response to protect the dignity of Ghanaian citizens abroad.
“The Government of Ghana has been compelled to retaliate by deporting three (3) Israelis who arrived in Ghana earlier today,” the release stated.
The Ministry further disclosed that the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Israeli Embassy of Israel in Accra was urgently summoned to receive formal notification of the decision, as the Israeli Ambassador is currently outside the jurisdiction.
Despite the tit-for-tat measure, both governments have committed to resolving the diplomatic row amicably.
“Both Governments have agreed to resolve the matter amicably,” the statement emphasised, adding that Ghana “deeply values our relations with all friendly countries and 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 swift reciprocal action follows Ghana’s earlier protest on Wednesday morning over the detention of seven Ghanaian travellers – including four members of a parliamentary delegation – at Ben Gurion Airport, three of whom were subsequently deported.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to “continue to safeguard the dignity of its nationals and also that of other nationals” while working to preserve longstanding friendly ties with Israel, which date back over six decades.