While Accra summoned the chargé d'affaires at the Israeli embassy to lodge a formal protest, the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that the move was based on the principle of reciprocity and the protection of the dignity of its citizens, confirming that both sides had agreed to resolve the tension amicably. That's how you hold Israel accountable when it does abide by the rules of civilized nations.
The Ghanaian Foreign Ministry had previously announced that Ghanaian travelers had been subjected to "deliberate targeting and harsh treatment" at Ben Gurion Airport since Sunday, describing what happened as "inhumane treatment" that warranted a response.
According to the ministry, seven Ghanaians were detained at the airport, including four members of a parliamentary delegation participating in an international cybersecurity conference in Tel Aviv. Israel later released the parliamentarians after diplomatic intervention while the other three Ghanaian citizens were deported without explanation.
Recently, dozens of countries around the world have called on Israel to show more restraint in the war in Gaza, while a smaller number have gone a step further by severing relations or making other official diplomatic protests. According to Axios, here is a list of countries that have withdrawn diplomats over Israel's genocide in Gaza and its frequent violations of international law:
In addition to that, there are also about a dozen countries where Israeli citizens are not allowed because they view Israel as an enemy of Islam, an illegitimate state, and a force of occupation. Here is the list:
1- Bangladesh
2- Pakistan
3- Malasia
4- Iran
5- Syria
6- Lebanon
7- Libya
8- Sudan
9 Yemen
10- North Korea
11- Maldives
On May 11, 1949, Israel was permitted to join the United Nations on three conditions:
* The status of Jerusalem would not be altered, and the Palestinians would be permitted to return.
* The Palestinian refugees would be permitted to return.
* The UN partition plan of 1947 agreement would become a final border.
On October 24, 1945, the UN began operations with the mission to preserve world peace. Ever since it was granted a UN membership, Israel has been a repeat offender at the U.N. and was denounced more than any other nation. Out of over 700 General Assembly resolutions passed by the UN, nearly 450 of them condemned Israel.
In other words, out of 193 nations in the UN, over 60 percent of all General Assembly resolutions condemned just ONE member: Israel!
Meanwhile Israelis continues to massacre and starve Palestinians as of this writing, spit on Christian's pilgrims in or visiting occupied Palestine, and abuse and mistreat visitors from Ghana and other nations without suffering consequences. It is time to declare Israel a rogue state and treat it as such.
Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com