For Albania, Rejecting Antisemitism Is Obvious
As an Albanian, I take pride in my country’s history of protecting Jews during the Holocaust.
We are a small nation, but our history contains an extraordinary example of moral courage. At a time when much of Europe was surrendering to hatred and persecution, Albanian families opened their doors to Jewish strangers, offering shelter and protection regardless of religion.
We did not ask what faith they practiced. We simply recognized our common humanity.
That spirit was embodied in Besa, our traditional code of honor, which places extraordinary importance on protecting those entrusted to our care.
Yet today, as Albania experiences heightened political debate and social tension, we are witnessing something deeply troubling: the spread of conspiracy theories portraying Israel, and sometimes Jews more broadly, as hidden forces responsible for events taking place in our country.
Let me be clear: these views do not represent the Albanian nation, nor do they reflect the values of the overwhelming majority of our people. They belong to certain individuals and groups who, although far from representative of our society, have become increasingly vocal. And perhaps there are more of them than we would like to admit.
From allegations of secret Israeli influence over Albanian affairs to unfounded accusations against Israeli tourists, such narratives threaten to replace legitimate political discussion with prejudice.
And we must ask ourselves an uncomfortable question: How can some among us, descendants of a nation that once protected Jews from persecution, find themselves entertaining the very prejudices our ancestors rejected?
Our ancestors protected Jews. We must not allow a vocal minority to dishonor their courage by embracing the suspicion and collective blame they refused to accept.
This does not mean Israel should be immune from criticism. A democratic society must preserve the right to question any government’s policies. We can acknowledge Palestinian suffering and advocate for their rights while maintaining our friendship with the Jewish people.
But there is a fundamental distinction between criticizing a government and portraying an entire people as a secret force manipulating the world.
Criticism requires evidence. Conspiracy theories thrive in its absence.
Albania has long taken pride in its religious coexistence. We can maintain friendships with Israel and Arab nations alike. We can stand against antisemitism while also condemning Islamophobia. Human dignity should never depend on which flag someone carries.
But inherited virtue is not enough.
We cannot endlessly celebrate what our grandparents did if we are unwilling to demonstrate the same moral courage ourselves.
History is not simply something we commemorate. It is something we are called upon to honor through our actions.
That means challenging antisemitic narratives even when disguised as patriotism or political resistance. It means refusing to hold ordinary Israeli citizens responsible for their government’s decisions.
Our ancestors did not protect Jews because it was politically convenient. They protected them because it was right.
Albania once offered Jewish families refuge when much of Europe turned its back on them. Let us ensure that the voices of a few, however loud they may become, never overshadow the values that made that possible.
