Liberia: Israel Allies Caucus Gets New Chairperson in 55th Legislature

Representative Moimah Briggs Mensah of Bong County District #6 has been inducted as the Chairperson of the Israel Allies Foundation Parliament Caucus of Liberia.

The induction ceremony took place at the Abide in the Vine Fellowship in Jacob Town, Paynesville. Representative Mensah takes over the position from former Montserrado County District #3 Representative Jimmy Smith, who was defeated in the October 10, 2023 legislative elections by Representative Sekou Kanneh.

The appointment of Rep. Mensah was made by Josh Reinstein, the President of the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF). The IAF, also known as the International Israel Allies Caucus Foundation, is a prominent pro-Israel organization.

The induction of Mensah, 48, was carried out by Rev. Dennis Nthumbi, the IAF-Africa Director. A member of the New Georgia United Methodist Church and serving her second term as a lawmaker, Representative Mensah brings experience and dedication to her new role.

The establishment of the Israel Allies Caucus in the Liberian Legislature in 2018 aimed to mobilize support for Israel and promote Jewish values among parliamentary bodies around the world. One of the key objectives of the Caucus is to advocate for the full sovereignty of Jerusalem under Israeli jurisdiction.

As part of their mandate, Caucus members are expected to oppose legislation that discriminates against Jews and Israelis, reject unilateral actions by the Palestinian Authority for international recognition without direct negotiations with Israel, condemn government-sponsored hate propaganda and incitement against Jews and Israel, and denounce declarations of destroying Israel by leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Caucus also aims to address the singling out of Israel and double standards applied to economic boycotts and discrimination legislation targeting the country based on alleged human rights abuses.

The Israel Allies Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in January 2004 to foster faith-based support for Israel among elected members of legislatures and parliaments worldwide, with a particular focus on Christian support.

Speaker J. Fonati Koffa expressed appreciation to the Israel Allies Foundation for selecting Representative Mensah for the role, highlighting the longstanding relationship between Liberia and Israel.

He expressed confidence in Representative Mensah’s leadership and acknowledged her appointment of Representative Jerry Yorgboh as co-chair for Administration, Representative Priscilla Cooper as co-chair of operations, Representative Marie Johnson, Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence as advisors, and himself.

The Speaker also encouraged Representative Mensah to continue recruiting pro-Israel lawmakers to strengthen the Caucus.