Albania and Israel established diplomatic relations on August 20, 1991. Albania had previously recognized Israel as a state since 1949.[1] Albania has an embassy in Tel-Aviv and Israel also has an embassy in Tirana.
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Albania was the only European country occupied by the Axis powers of World War II that ended World War II with a larger Jewish population than before the War.[2][3][4]
Precisely, only one Jewish family was deported and killed during the Nazi occupation of Albania.[5] Not only did the Albanians protect their own Jews, but they provided refuge for Jews from neighboring countries.[6] 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.[7] Some 1,200 Jewish residents and refugees from other Balkan countries were hidden by Albanian families during World War II, according to official records.[8]
Furthermore, Israel has been one of the richest countries to receive Kosovar Albanians refugees from Kosovo War in 1999.[9] Many refugees were provided medical care, food and accommodation by the Israeli authorities,[10] as a gesture of thanks to the Albanian people after their contribution to the saving of Jews in the Holocaust period.
Israel has supported Albania's membership in international organisations, and its integration in the European Union 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.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Library of Congress Country Studies.
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