The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Roey Gilad, has emphatically dismissed criticisms that the recent Israeli Film Festival, held at Silverbird Cinema in Accra, was merely a vehicle for “propaganda”.
The Ambassador defended the festival as a genuine cultural exchange aimed at building bridges between the two nations, highlighting a deliberate strategy of intertwining Israeli and Ghanaian arts.
Ambassador Gilad, speaking at a recent press briefing, addressed the backlash—which included public protests and calls for boycotts from a coalition of activists and prominent Ghanaians—by focusing on the event’s cultural substance and high public attendance.
“We brought here five excellent Israeli films,” the Ambassador stated. “We went to UNIMAC (University of Media, Arts and Communication, formerly GIJ and NAFTI) … We told them, let’s add to those Israeli long films short Ghanaian films.’ That’s exactly the essence of this embassy: to intertwine, to put together Israeli art and Ghanaian art and culture… and to build a bridge.”
‘A Hollow Argument’
The Film Festival, which took place over several days at the Silverbird Cinema at the Accra Mall, was a flashpoint for pro-Palestinian groups who viewed the event as an attempt to “whitewash” Israel’s image amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
A broad coalition of Ghanaian individuals and organisations reportedly signed a petition urging Silverbird to cancel the screenings.
Ambassador Gilad, however, countered the narrative of political manoeuvring with the evidence of public interest, noting that the venue was well-attended.
READ ALSO: Protesters threaten to picket Silverbird Cinema over Israeli Film Festival
“The Silverbird Theatre was full of people who wanted to see art, wanted to see culture, Israeli culture and Ghanaian culture,” he said.
He characterised the opposition as a small, non-representative group seeking to stifle cultural freedom.
“The very few people who objected to it basically wanted to prevent Ghanaians from watching this Israeli culture, Israeli art, and Israeli films.”
When questioned directly about the “propaganda” label by MyJoyOnline, the Ambassador dismissed the claim outright.
“If there are some – I don’t know, how should I call them? – Some people who think this is propaganda, then really this argument is so hollow, it’s so empty that I really think it’s not worth my reaction.”
Cultural Diplomacy as a Core Mandate
The Ambassador detailed the Embassy’s consistent focus on cultural exchange programmes, providing figures on past and future collaborations as proof of its genuine, long-term commitment beyond any immediate political context.
- Past Collaborations: “Last year we brought in Israeli choreographers to work with local dancers. We brought an Israeli jazz trio to play with local jazz groups.”
- Future Plans: “Next year we are going to bring a playwright to work with your wonderful playwrights.”
The Ambassador stressed that cultural interaction remains a foundational pillar of the Embassy’s work, designed to create mutual understanding at a grassroots level.
“Culture is a very important bridge in the work of this embassy. We did it in the past. We are doing it now and we’ll continue to do it in the future,” H.E. Gilad concluded, reaffirming the Israeli mission’s focus on people-to-people ties between Jerusalem and Accra through the arts.
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