Weah, Herzog Meeting Bears Fruits -Israel to Highlight Liberia’s Case at US Congress; Wants Liberia Embassy Opened in Jerusalem

MONROVIA: The visit of President George Manneh Weah to the State of Israel is bearing fruits as Israeli President Isaac Herzog has extolled the traditional relations between Israel and Liberia, noting that Israel takes its relations with Liberia very seriously as it was the first African nation to establish diplomatic relations with his country. As a reciprocal gesture, President Herzog has called for the opening of a Liberian embassy in Jerusalem to allow Israel to do a lot with Liberia in many areas of cooperation.

Welcoming President Weah to Israel, President Herzog said it signified President Weah’s love for Israel and deep admiration for the Jewish people.

He said Israel takes its relations with Liberia very seriously as it was the first African nation to have established diplomatic relations with the Jewish State.

“We are anxious to foster our diplomatic ties with the opening of an embassy here in Israel,” President Herzog averred, noting, “With the opening of an embassy, Israel can do a lot with Liberia in many areas of cooperation such as agriculture, health, defense, and tourism.”

On the international front, President Herzog offered to be an advocate for the agenda of Liberia, disclosing that he will be addressing the joint session of the US Congress and would be willing to highlight Liberia’s case.

“I know of the great relations our three countries share,” referencing Liberia, Israel, and the United States.

On a lighter note, President Herzog expressed his delight about the footballing exploits of Timothy Weah, whose professional football skills are now acquired by the famous Italian Club giants Juventus.

“My family and I are great admirers of you, and now Timothy, your son. The People of Israel bless you and him, “President Herzog said.

President Weah in response extolled Liberia-Israel relations, emphasizing that both countries have, over the years, shared a long and historic fraternal bond, saying that his visit to Israel is a return to the Holy Land of Divine Blessings.

Speaking at the Israeli State House where he, First Lady Clar Marie Weah and entourage were received by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and Wife Michal, the Liberian Leader said he was delighted to be in Jerusalem the Holy Land. He stressed the need for strengthening the relations between the two countries, especially in the area of agriculture, with a focus on rice production. He said Liberia can also benefit a lot in other areas, including health, education, and trade from Israel.

On International Relations, President Weah reaffirmed Liberia’s support to the cause of peace between Palestine and Israel, saying, as the leader of a country coming from war, Liberia’s foremost international agenda is for the promotion of peace and democracy, a Government of Liberia dispatch from the Holy Land said yesterday Tuesday.

The Liberian leader is on an official visit to the State of Israel where he toured Holy Sites in the historic city of Jerusalem and proffered prayers for peaceful and successful election in Liberia this year.

President Weah who is accompanied by First Lady Madam Clar Marie Weah, Ministers of Government and some ranking members of the Legislature, has offered prayers for peace to reign in Liberia while also seeking God’s divine blessings for a peaceful and successful election in October this year.

During the official tour, the President and his entourage visited the Western Wall known also as the Wailing Wall which represents the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, it is the last remaining outer wall of the ancient Jewish temple and an incredibly important site of modern Israeli history.

The Liberian leader also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, which contains the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. It is Christianity’s holiest site. The church stands at the end of the Via Dolorosa—the route Jesus is believed to have taken on the way to his crucifixion.

“President Weah and delegation also visited the Holy Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where, according to the four Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus Christ underwent the agony in the garden and was arrested before his crucifixion. It is a place of great resonance in Christianity. There are several small olive groves in the church property, all adjacent to each other and identified with biblical Gethsemane,” the Government of Liberia dispatch stated on Monday, July 3, 2023.