VISA-FREE TRAVEL TO ISRAEL “NOT POSSIBLE IN SHORT RUN” – Israeli Ambassador
Israeli Ambassador cites "significant number" of Ghanaians overstaying visas as a major hurdle, dashing hopes for imminent no-visa policy.
Hopes for a visa-free travel agreement between Ghana and Israel have been put on hold indefinitely, according to the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Roey Gilad.
In a candid interview with Citi FM, the ambassador, who also represents Israel in Sierra Leone and Liberia, stated frankly that such a policy is not feasible in the near future, citing significant breaches of trust and unresolved bilateral issues.
Ambassador Gilad identified the primary obstacle as the high rate of visa overstays by Ghanaians in Israel. “I must tell you frankly, I’m not sure if this is possible in the short run,” he stated. “Without going into too many details; there’s quite a significant number of Ghanaians who took advantage and stayed in Israel longer than the terms of the visa.”
This revelation points to a deeper diplomatic challenge that must be overcome before any liberalization of travel can be discussed. The ambassador clarified that the visa overstay issue is just one of several matters requiring resolution.
“There are a few issues that we are ironing out with your government, and when these issues are solved, we might have a policy of no visas,” Gilad explained, while simultaneously tempering expectations by adding, “but I don’t see it coming [soon].”
The ambassador’s comments provide a rare, transparent look into the often complex and unpublicized negotiations that underpin international travel agreements. His statement suggests that restoring confidence and addressing specific bilateral concerns are prerequisites for any future discussion on visa-free access.
This development dashes the hopes of many Ghanaians anticipating easier travel to Israel for tourism, pilgrimage, or business, indicating that the current visa application process will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
