During his visit to Jerusalem last week, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to The Jerusalem Post, addressing antisemitism, Albania-Israel relations, the Holocaust, and the Middle East conflict.
Rama participated in the international conference “Generation Truth”, organized by the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, as part of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
On stage, he cited the Talmud: “Whoever saves a single life is as if they have saved the entire world.” He explained that the message is universal: “Antisemitism is not just hatred of Jews, but an attack on the moral fabric of humanity itself.”
Reflecting on his personal connection to Jerusalem, Rama recalled growing up in communist Albania, where Israel was portrayed as an enemy. He contrasted official propaganda with the forbidden Bible of his devout grandmother, which sparked his early fascination with Jerusalem.
Rama also highlighted Albania’s unique role during the Holocaust, where the Jewish population increased during World War II due to the Albanian code of honor, “Besa”, and emphasized that Albania saved over 3,700 Jews, refusing Nazi demands for lists of Jews while surrendering only gold.
Addressing contemporary issues, Rama warned about the resurgence of antisemitism, often disguised as political critique, cultural anxiety, or moral superiority: “Hatred begins with language, indifference, and justifications. Terrorism is not a perspective—it is a crime against humanity.”
Commenting on recent events, including the October 7 attacks, he stressed: “The suffering of Palestinians is real and heartbreaking. Blurring moral lines or legitimizing terror under the guise of proportionality is madness. Peace cannot mean neutrality towards terror.”
Rama reaffirmed that Albania remains a friendly country to Jews and Israel, noting there has been no antisemitism towards Jewish tourists, and that being close to Israel is both normal and an honor.
