Israel Disappointed in Ghana’s Abstention on Iran Nuclear Vote

The State of Israel has expressed disappointment with the Government of Ghana for abstaining from a critical vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which declared Iran to be in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the IAEA’s 35-member Board of Governors—chaired by Ghana—passed a resolution condemning Iran’s lack of cooperation regarding its nuclear program. It was the first such resolution in nearly two decades and could pave the way for Iran’s referral to the United Nations Security Council.

The resolution, seen by Reuters, states that Iran has repeatedly failed since 2019 to provide the IAEA with timely and full disclosure about undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple locations. This, it said, constitutes a violation of Iran’s Safeguards Agreement with the agency.

Tensions between the IAEA and Iran have escalated since the collapse of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, following the United States’ withdrawal under then-President Donald Trump in 2018. The vote comes amid renewed global concerns, with the U.S. recently evacuating personnel from parts of the Middle East and issuing warnings about growing regional threats.

The resolution—sponsored by the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany—passed with 19 votes in favor, 11 abstentions, and 3 votes against, cast by Russia, China, and Burkina Faso.

Israeli Ambassador Criticizes Ghana’s Position

Reacting to Ghana’s abstention, Israel’s Ambassador to Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, Mr. Roey Gilad, expressed regret, noting that Israel had counted on Ghana, a longstanding ally, to back the resolution.

“Ghana abstained from voting on Iran’s non-compliance with its nuclear program. We lobbied Ghana strongly, hoping for its support, but we were disappointed,” Ambassador Gilad told journalists during a press briefing at his residence in Accra.

He described Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a global security threat and criticized Ghana’s continued adherence to its traditional non-aligned foreign policy in such matters.

“Iran has openly called for the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel—a country Ghana has considered a friend since 1957. This vote was an opportunity for Ghana to show support, and we hoped for a different outcome,” he said.

Although Ghana’s abstention aligns with IAEA convention—where the Chair typically refrains from voting—Ambassador Gilad suggested this situation warranted an exception.

“Yes, Ghana chairs the Board, but this issue is of such vital importance to Israel that we believe it should have voted,” he added.

Call to Rethink Non-Alignment

While acknowledging Ghana’s sovereign right to make its own decisions, Ambassador Gilad encouraged a review of its long-standing non-alignment stance, especially in matters affecting global peace and security.

“We fully respect Ghana’s independent policy-making. However, as a friend, I believe it’s time to reconsider the non-aligned posture that dates back to Nkrumah’s era. In Israel, we constantly re-evaluate our policies—we believe it would be healthy for Ghana to do the same,” he said.

Relations Remain Strong

Despite the disagreement, the Ambassador emphasized that the incident would not damage the strong ties between Ghana and Israel.

“This will not overshadow our relationship, but it is a point of concern. We value mature partnerships, and mature partners must be able to discuss disagreements openly. We’ve done so in the past and will continue to do so,” Ambassador Gilad concluded.

The IAEA, established in 1957, is the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, mandated to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for military purposes.