Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that Albania would continue to support international efforts to stabilise Gaza, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, as he reaffirmed his country’s strong political, security and economic ties with Israel during a visit to Jerusalem.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rama said Albania would “play its role” within any international force aimed at stabilising Gaza, while reiterating his government’s firm opposition to antisemitism and all forms of religious hatred.
“Albania remains unwavering against antisemitism, just as it stands firmly against Islamophobia,” Rama said, adding that hatred and discrimination would not guide Albania’s relations with other nations.
Rama is in Israel to attend an international conference on combating antisemitism and held both one-on-one and delegation-level talks with Netanyahu, focusing on regional security, economic cooperation and defence partnerships.
Gaza, antisemitism and historical ties
Rama said Albania continued to back diplomatic initiatives to end the war in Gaza, including Trump’s peace proposal, while stressing solidarity with civilians affected by the conflict.
He drew a contrast between public sentiment in Albania and developments elsewhere in Europe, saying that despite widespread sympathy among Albanians for Palestinian civilians, there had been no anti-Israel protests or attacks targeting Jewish visitors in the country.
“That stands in sharp contrast to what we have unfortunately witnessed in parts of Europe, where antisemitism has once again emerged as a deeply troubling presence,” Rama said.
Albania, a NATO member with a Muslim-majority population, is widely known for sheltering Jews during World War Two. Its Jewish population increased during the Holocaust, making it unique in Europe.
Rama said that legacy imposed a moral responsibility on Albania to confront antisemitism at home and abroad.
“This is a moral inheritance we must never forget and must pass on to future generations,” he said.
Netanyahu praises Albania’s wartime record
Netanyahu praised Albania’s historical role in protecting Jews during the Holocaust, calling Rama “a great friend of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.”
“The world should know that Albania was the only European country where the Jewish population grew during the Holocaust,” Netanyahu said, crediting Albanian Muslims and Christians with sheltering Jews fleeing Nazi persecution.
“This is a story the world needs to know – a moral story from the darkest hours of human history,” he added.
Netanyahu said Albania had stood “courageously” with Israel following attacks against the country and that its leadership had shown moral clarity during moments of crisis.
Defence, cybersecurity and Iran
The talks also focused on defence cooperation, cybersecurity and counterterrorism. Rama thanked Israel for what he described as critical support following a major cyberattack against Albania in recent years, which Tirana has blamed on Iran.
Like Israel, Albania has no diplomatic relations with Iran. Rama said both countries faced threats from actors he described as hostile to democratic values.
He added that Albania and Israel were expanding cooperation in defence manufacturing, with plans to develop “Made in Albania” defence systems in partnership with Israeli technology firms.
“Thanks to our partnership with Israel, we are rebuilding domestic defence production capacities with the potential to expand beyond Albania’s borders,” Rama said.
Trade, tourism and new chamber of commerce
Economic ties were also high on the agenda. Netanyahu said Israeli tourism to Albania had surged dramatically, estimating an increase of up to 800% in recent years, driven in part by direct flights between the two countries.
“Albania is a wonderful country with wonderful people,” Netanyahu said, encouraging Israelis to visit and invest.
He said a new Albania–Israel Chamber of Commerce would be opened in Jerusalem on Monday, aimed at boosting trade, investment and business cooperation.
Rama welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen commercial ties and showcase Albania as a fast-developing, market-oriented economy.
Peace board invitation
Rama also confirmed Albania’s participation in a U.S.-backed international “Peace Board” initiative proposed by President Trump, describing the invitation as both recognition and moral responsibility.
“Albania is honoured to be part of this initiative,” Rama said.
The visit underscores Albania’s growing alignment with Israel and the United States on security and foreign policy issues, as Tirana seeks a more visible role in regional and international diplomacy.