Liberian President ‘A Role Model’

(IDEX Online News) – The Israeli diamond industry said Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President is especially worthy to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) Chairman Moti Ganz said that President Sirleaf is a role model to women throughout Africa and the world. “She has brought peace to a country that was plagued for many years by civil war and she has reached out to the international community, including Israel, offer closer ties and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

The Nobel Prize committee cited Sirleaf’s efforts to secure peace in her country, promote economic and social development and strengthen the position of women. Sirleaf herself said that the award was recognition of Liberia’s “many years of struggle for justice, peace and promotion of development.”

In 2007, during an official visit by Sirleaf to Israel, the IDI initiated a memorandum of understanding between Liberia and the Israeli diamond industry, to foster strategic cooperation between the diamond industries of both countries.

Sirleaf was awarded the coveted prize alongside two other women, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemen’s Tawakkul Karman.