Albania–Israel relations
Encyclopedia
Albania
and Israel
established diplomatic relations on August 20, 1991. Albania had previously recognized Israel as a state since 1949. Albania has an embassy in Tel-Aviv and Israel also has an embassy in Tirana
.
that ended World War II with a larger Jewish population than before the War.
Precisely, only one Jewish family was deported and killed during the Nazi occupation of Albania. Not only did the Albanians protect their own Jews, but they provided refuge for Jews from neighboring countries. The Albanians refused to comply and hand over lists of Jews. Instead they provided the Jewish families with forged documents and helped them disperse in the Albanian population. Some 1,200 Jewish residents and refugees from other Balkan countries were hidden by Albanian families during World War II, according to official records.
Furthermore, Israel has been one of the richest countries to receive Kosovar Albanians refugees from Kosovo War
in 1999. Many refugees were provided medical care, food and accommodation by the Israeli authorities, as a gesture of thanks to the Albanian people after their contribution to the saving of Jews in the Holocaust
period.
and NATO, as an observer state.
Although Albania
has recognised the State of Palestine
, Israel has maintained very good relations with the Balkan State, in comparison with neighbouring countries. Nowadays, about 500 descendants of Jewish families are estimated to live in Albania. Also, hundreds of Albanian soldiers are considered to have contributed to peace and stability in the disturbed region of Middle East
through NATO missions. Moreover, Israeli companies and businessmen have lately shown interest in investing in Albania
's highly developing market.
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
established diplomatic relations on August 20, 1991. Albania had previously recognized Israel as a state since 1949. Albania has an embassy in Tel-Aviv and Israel also has an embassy in Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
.
History
Albania was the only European country occupied by the Axis powers of World War IIAxis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
that ended World War II with a larger Jewish population than before the War.
Precisely, only one Jewish family was deported and killed during the Nazi occupation of Albania. Not only did the Albanians protect their own Jews, but they provided refuge for Jews from neighboring countries. The Albanians refused to comply and hand over lists of Jews. Instead they provided the Jewish families with forged documents and helped them disperse in the Albanian population. Some 1,200 Jewish residents and refugees from other Balkan countries were hidden by Albanian families during World War II, according to official records.
Furthermore, Israel has been one of the richest countries to receive Kosovar Albanians refugees from Kosovo War
Kosovo War
The term Kosovo War or Kosovo conflict was two sequential, and at times parallel, armed conflicts in Kosovo province, then part of FR Yugoslav Republic of Serbia; from early 1998 to 1999, there was an armed conflict initiated by the ethnic Albanian "Kosovo Liberation Army" , who sought independence...
in 1999. Many refugees were provided medical care, food and accommodation by the Israeli authorities, as a gesture of thanks to the Albanian people after their contribution to the saving of Jews in the Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
period.
Relations at present
Israel has supported Albania's membership in international organisations, and its integration in the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and NATO, as an observer state.
Although Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
has recognised the State of Palestine
State of Palestine
Palestine , officially declared as the State of Palestine , is a state that was proclaimed in exile in Algiers on 15 November 1988, when the Palestine Liberation Organization's National Council adopted the unilateral Palestinian Declaration of Independence...
, Israel has maintained very good relations with the Balkan State, in comparison with neighbouring countries. Nowadays, about 500 descendants of Jewish families are estimated to live in Albania. Also, hundreds of Albanian soldiers are considered to have contributed to peace and stability in the disturbed region of Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
through NATO missions. Moreover, Israeli companies and businessmen have lately shown interest in investing in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
's highly developing market.