Veteran peacebuilding expert Emmanuel Bombande has criticised Israel for consistently portraying itself as a victim while acting as an aggressor in its ongoing conflict with Iran.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, Mr Bombande said Israel’s military actions, including recent strikes on Iranian targets, reflect a deliberate effort to control global narratives.
“They’ve mastered the art of appearing as victims, even when they act as aggressors,” he said. “There’s a deep sense of entitlement, and they expect everyone to see things only from their perspective, yet they refuse to view it from any other angle.”
His comments follow Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran, which resulted in the deaths of several top military officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged that the attacks will continue “as long as necessary,” heightening fears of a wider regional conflict.
Mr Bombande, a former Deputy Foreign Minister, cautioned that Israel’s aggressive posture is often shielded by a global narrative that ignores the broader context. He added that Ghana’s choice to remain neutral in international votes on the conflict should be understood through its historic commitment to peace and mediation.
“Ghana’s foreign policy has always been shaped by the idea that global instability threatens our development,” he explained. “We’ve maintained a position of positive neutrality to create space for dialogue, not militarism.”
He warned that the growing tensions in the Middle East pose serious risks for developing economies like Ghana’s, especially at a time when the country is starting to show signs of economic recovery.
“We’re now seeing brighter prospects, some of our downgraded economic indicators are being upgraded,” Bombande noted. “The last thing we need is instability that drags us backward. We’ve come too far.”
He concluded by urging Ghana and other African nations to continue advocating for peaceful mediation in global conflicts, stressing that silence in such matters isn’t indifference but a strategic choice for long-term stability.
