During an official visit to Israel, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor by the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog. This recognition was granted in honor of the historical stance of the Albanian people towards Jews during World War II and Albania’s continued commitment to promoting interfaith tolerance and combating anti-Semitism.

In his speech at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Rama emphasized that he accepted this honor on behalf of Albania and its citizens – both Muslim and Christian – who, through their acts of bravery and solidarity, saved Jewish lives and transformed Albania into the only country in Europe that had a higher Jewish population after World War II than before.

The Prime Minister recalled specific episodes of this solidarity, including the case of an Albanian family who sacrificed the lives of their sons to save two Jewish people, refusing to cooperate with the Nazi authorities.

He further highlighted that Albania’s stance towards Jews was not merely an isolated historical act but a manifestation of a consistent philosophy of interfaith tolerance and the protection of human dignity. Albania, as a predominantly Muslim country, demonstrated that religion was not an obstacle to solidarity but could be its foundation.

Moreover, Prime Minister Rama emphasized the Albanian government’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism through the adoption of relevant legislation, the integration of Holocaust education into the national school curriculum, and the establishment of two key institutions for Jewish memory and culture – a museum in the city of Vlora and a cultural center in Tirana.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister declared that Albania will continue to remain a welcoming country for the Jewish people, as it has historically been, further strengthening relations with Israel in various fields, from tourism to scientific and technological cooperation.

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