Albania’s Ambassador to Israel, Meri Kumbe, has stated that there are currently no Albanian citizens in immediate danger, although 13 individuals have requested assistance to leave the country due to tensions in the Middle East.
According to her, those seeking help are mainly tourists, pupils, students, and two cases involving Albanian parents with young children who wish to leave for safety reasons.
“There are no Albanians in danger. We have 13 Albanian citizens who have requested our assistance to leave the country. We are in constant contact. The Albanian community here is around 1,000 people — those who have lived here for about 30 years. The 13 citizens requesting help fall into the categories of tourists, pupils, students, and two families with small children who want to move their children out of Israel,” she said on Off the Record on A2 CNN.
Exit Options Limited
Ambassador Kumbe explained that the embassy remains in continuous communication with the affected citizens and is providing accurate information about possible exit routes.
She emphasized that Ben Gurion Airport remains closed. Currently, the only way to leave Israel is through land borders via Jordan or Egypt.
Some of those near the southern border are expected to cross in the coming days, as access is relatively close. However, those in central and northern Israel are being advised to follow local security instructions and avoid long road travel, which could increase risks.
“At this moment, security is the priority, not the urgency of immediate return to Albania. First, we must ensure there are no risks along the route,” she stressed.
Coordination with Tirana
Kumbe also provided details about communication with Edi Rama.
She said the Prime Minister requested detailed information about all Albanians in the region, focusing on ensuring their safety and the full implementation of support plans in the coming days.
