Albania–Israel Relations

Albania and Israel maintain diplomatic representation through embassies in Tel Aviv and Tirana, with Albania opening its embassy in 1998 and Israel inaugurating its embassy in August 2012.[4] Their contemporary relationship combines government-to-government agreements, commercial activity, educational partnerships, and cooperation in fields such as agriculture and cybersecurity.[4] In October 2026, Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha marked the relationship’s 35th anniversary during a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, when the countries signed an expanded general cooperation agreement.[5]

Holocaust remembrance is an enduring component of bilateral diplomacy, expressed through visits to Yad Vashem, commemorations in Albania, and educational cooperation.[6][7] Albania was among the few European countries whose Jewish population was larger at the end of World War II than before it, reflecting its role as a refuge for Jews escaping persecution.[8] The immigration of almost all Albanian Jews to Israel in 1991 created another direct connection between the countries at the moment when formal diplomatic relations were being established.[2]

The relationship also encompasses Albania’s public opposition to antisemitism and support for Israel in political and parliamentary settings.[9][10] Practical cooperation has included Israeli assistance after Albania’s 2019 earthquake, investment protections, medical partnerships, and agreements intended to expand access to Israeli agricultural knowledge and technology.[4][11][12] Tourism has become an increasingly visible connection: in October 2026, Hoxha cited more than 100,000 Israeli visitors to Albania during the preceding year.[5]

Albanian protection of Jews during the Holocaust forms a central historical connection underlying the later interstate relationship.[5][6] Around 300 Jews lived in Albania in 1938, and more than 1,900 people escaped there from Nazi-occupied Western Europe and the former Yugoslavia during World War II.[2] After Germany occupied Albania in 1943, Albanian leaders refused to provide the Gestapo with a list of Jews, while Albanian clerks issued false identity papers to protect them.[2] Muslim and Christian Albanian families sheltered Jewish refugees, sometimes at personal risk.[13]

The Albanian code of honor known as besa has been associated with the obligation to protect guests and people in danger.[5][13] In a statement reproduced in a 2012 U.S. Senate resolution, Yad Vashem’s then-director for the Righteous, Mordechai Paldiel, described Albanian rescuers as people who “vied and competed with each other for the privilege of being a rescuer, thanks to besa.”[2] The U.S. Department of State’s JUST Act report recorded 75 Albanians recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.[8]

The preservation of this history also involved the recovery of documents after decades of Communist rule.[2] In June 1990, Congressman Tom Lantos and former Congressman Joe DioGuardi received from Albanian leader Ramiz Alia an archival file containing hundreds of press clippings and letters from Jews to their Albanian rescuers.[2] The letters had been withheld from delivery for 45 years by the Communist government.[2] DioGuardi sent the material through Elli Streit in Tel Aviv to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem for authentication.[2]

Josef Jakoel and his daughter Felicita led the emigration of almost all Albanian Jews to Israel in 1991 as Albania’s Communist regime collapsed.[2] In his historical account, Yosef Govrin places the number arriving in Israel during 1990–1991 at about 300 and the total number of Albanian Jews settling in Israel between 1948 and 1991 at 356.[14] Govrin also recounts that Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy expressed appreciation both for Albanian assistance to Jews during the Holocaust and for Albania’s permission for Jewish immigration to Israel.[14]

Albania recognized Israel on April 16, 1949, while the establishment of diplomatic relations followed in August 1991.[15][1] Govrin’s account identifies a telegram from Albanian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Enver Hoxha to Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett, dated April 16, 1949, accompanying recognition.[14] In the telegram, the Albanian government welcomed the Jewish people’s efforts to regain independence and sovereignty, declaring that those efforts “have been crowned with success with Israel’s declaration of its statehood.”[14]

Govrin characterizes Albania as the only state in the East European Communist bloc that recognized Israel but withheld diplomatic, commercial, and cultural relations until the collapse of its Communist regime.[14] His account describes repeated Israeli attempts to develop contacts during the 1950s and 1960s.[14] A proposal for commercial relations forwarded through Israel’s Prague legation in 1958 received no reply, and an Israeli request in 1961 to appoint a nonresident ambassador in Tirana likewise produced no positive response.[14] Further approaches in 1962, 1964, and 1967 were unsuccessful; Govrin identifies the 1967 initiative as Israel’s last Communist-era attempt to establish diplomatic and economic ties.[14]

Govrin links Albania’s refusal to its Communist foreign policy and international alignments, including its close relationship with China and solidarity with the PLO.[14] He recounts former Albanian ambassador Bashkim Dino’s explanation that the regime’s prejudiced attitude toward the United States and certain Western partners, including Israel, contributed to its position.[14] Govrin also describes a more hostile Albanian stance after the 1967 Six-Day War, when most Communist-bloc countries other than Romania severed relations with Israel.[14] Albania’s Marxist government outlawed religions in 1967 and portrayed Israel as the “little devil” of the United States.[16]

A change became visible in 1990.[14] Govrin recounts a mid-May conversation in Rome between Albanian Ambassador Dashnor Darvishi and Israeli Ambassador Mordechai Drori, in which Darvishi criticized the absence of contacts and contrasted Albania’s position with Egypt’s full diplomatic relations with Israel.[14] In an interview published on October 14, 1990, an Albanian diplomat said there was “absolutely no reason” relations could not be established in the future and expressed interest in Israeli investment and technology.[14]

According to Govrin’s account, Albanian Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani announced in Rome on March 14, 1991, that diplomatic relations with Israel would shortly be established.[14] Ambassadorial contacts followed, including Drori’s visit to Tirana on July 19, and Kapllani subsequently traveled to Israel in August.[14] The Israeli newspaper Hadashot carried the headline “Diplomatic relations with Albania—in the coming month” on July 22, 1991.[17] Govrin dates the signing of the memorandum establishing diplomatic ties to August 19, 1991, consistent with the August 1991 establishment date in the diplomatic-missions chronology.[14][1]

The initial discussions already linked diplomatic normalization with practical cooperation.[14] Govrin recounts that Levy proposed 25 scholarships for Albanians attending courses run by the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s international-cooperation department, two mobile Israeli courses in Albania, and encouragement for Israeli businesses to operate there.[14] Agriculture, economic affairs, trade, culture, and science were identified as fields for cooperation.[14] Israel’s foreign minister made his first official visit to Tirana in November 1993.[18]

In December 2015, Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu and Edi Rama signed a joint declaration of friendship, an agreement on medical research cooperation between hospitals, and an agreement concerning employment of diplomats’ spouses.[6] Rama sought closer cooperation in security, cybersecurity, water, energy, and innovation, while encouraging Israeli business investment in Albania.[6] Netanyahu called for expanded trade and cooperation and thanked Albania for supporting Israel in an International Atomic Energy Agency vote.[6]

Jewish organizational contacts have complemented official diplomacy.[19][20] A 15-person American Jewish Committee delegation visiting Tirana in July 2019 met Rama, President Ilir Meta, Parliament Chairman Gramoz Ruçi, and other Albanian leaders; discussions included Albania–Israel relations and Albania’s ties with the United States and European Union.[19] In 2021, Meta awarded the Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg Order to AJC Jerusalem Director Avital Leibovich, the first Israeli and first woman from the Middle East to receive it.[20] Leibovich had connected Albanian, Israeli, and American officials and promoted agreements in academia, culture, business, and diplomacy, while Albanian officials also visited Israel through Project Interchange delegations.[20]

In October 2023, Rama publicly condemned Hamas and expressed support for Israel, while calling for truth and justice for victims of the Gaza hospital explosion.[16] Albania separately abstained on a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli airstrikes and demanding an immediate ceasefire, joining five other abstaining countries.[16] Rama subsequently visited Israel during the Israel–Hamas war and wore a yellow pin supporting the release of hostages while addressing the United Nations and denouncing Hamas.[13]

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Tirana in September 2024 at Rama’s invitation, the first visit of its kind since diplomatic relations were established 33 years earlier.[7] The announced program included meetings with Albanian President Bajram Begaj, a Holocaust memorial ceremony, and encounters with rescuers and their descendants.[7] On September 12, Rama announced plans for a trade-relations office in Jerusalem; Herzog and Rama also met the mother of hostage Alon Ohel, and Rama expressed support for the hostages’ return.[21]

During Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen’s July 2025 visit, Rama announced an intention to open an official Albanian diplomatic office in Jerusalem.[4] In November that year, 11 Albanian parliamentarians from three parties established an Israel Allies Caucus, bringing together members of the governing majority and opposition.[10] Its declaration committed members to stand with Israel, oppose antisemitism and boycott campaigns, and promote Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish people.[10] The caucus joined a worldwide network of more than 60 pro-Israel parliamentary groups.[10]

On October 12, 2026, Sa’ar and Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha signed an expanded general cooperation agreement, which they presented as opening new avenues for collaboration and business opportunities.[5] Sa’ar also met Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi for discussions encompassing the Middle East, inter-parliamentary relations, and broader cooperation.[5] The accompanying intergovernmental framework would allow Albania’s government to contract directly with Israeli companies.[22]

A 1996 agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments established part of the legal framework for bilateral business, and a U.S. investment-climate report lists Albania among countries with an investment treaty in force with Israel.[4][23] Subsequent agreements covered agriculture, veterinary medicine, trade, air services, and visa exemptions, followed by a convention to avoid double taxation in 2021.[4] A 2023 report identified 54 Israeli companies operating in Albania, seasonal nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and Tirana, and three Albanian honorary consuls in Israel serving the center, north, and south and Negev.[16]

The Israel–Albania Chamber of Commerce was launched at an event attended by Rama, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, ministers, and senior officials from both countries.[24] Its stated objectives were to promote trade, investment, and cooperation while strengthening economic, business, and social connections.[24] In October 2026, the countries signed an aviation agreement intended to expand flight options and encourage tourism.[22] The growth in annual Israeli visitors was described during that visit as an increase from roughly 7,000 to about 100,000.[5][22]

Water management has been a particular subject of Albanian interest in Israeli experience.[3] In June 2020, Rama praised Israel’s development of water supply despite limited natural water resources, contrasting it with Albania’s difficulties despite abundant water.[3] He also noted increasing Israeli tourism and urged more Israelis to visit Tirana while calling for cooperation across different fields.[3] Energy and cybersecurity were central themes of Cohen’s July 2025 visit.[4]

Cybersecurity cooperation developed against the background of a 2022 cyberattack on Tirana attributed to Iran, after which Albania began using Israeli technologies to protect governmental and private organizations.[25] Albania severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2022, and an Albania–Israel cybersecurity memorandum followed in 2023.[4] Israeli company ADC was selected to build Albania’s first data center, a government project in a free-trade zone near Tirana with an estimated cost of €100 million.[25] The planned facility would provide 32 megawatts of capacity, potentially expanding to 100 megawatts, with green electricity supplied from a hydroelectric source by the Albanian National Electricity Company.[25]

Defense cooperation expanded through a November 2025 agreement involving Elbit Systems’ ATMOS artillery, SPEAR mortars, and Magni-X and Thor tactical drones.[4] The arrangement included assistance for Albania’s defense industry through joint production facilities and technology transfer, as part of Rama’s military-modernization effort and intention to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.[4]

In 2026, Deputy Agriculture Minister Fatmir Guri and Oren Lavi, director general of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, signed a memorandum covering agricultural technologies and innovation, sustainable production, food security, knowledge exchange, and joint research.[12] After signing, the Israeli delegation met Albania’s agriculture minister to discuss implementation and possible projects.[12]

A 1993 agreement addressed cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation, and later educational and research connections included a partnership between Bar-Ilan University and the University of Tirana.[4] During Rama’s 2015 visit to Israel, Albania’s Ministry of Education and Sport and Yad Vashem signed an agreement to advance Albanian educators’ professional development in Holocaust studies.[6] Rama visited Yad Vashem, and the visit’s program included a planned meeting with members of the Mandil family, whose relatives had been rescued by Albanian Righteous Among the Nations Hamid and Xhemal Veseli.[6]

Medical cooperation has developed through both hospital partnerships and government agreements.[4][6] Albania and Sheba Medical Center established a cooperation framework in 2024 to strengthen oncology services.[4] A health memorandum signed in March 2025 covered joint projects, digital-health innovation, emergency preparedness, exchanges on mass-casualty care and patients’ rights, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.[26] These initiatives followed the hospital medical-research agreement signed during the prime ministers’ meeting in December 2015.[6]

Israeli humanitarian assistance after Albania’s November 2019 earthquake provided a practical expression of the relationship.[11] The Israel Defense Forces dispatched a ten-person team of regular and reserve personnel, led by the Home Front Command with Foreign Ministry assistance, to assess the structural safety of buildings and advise Albanian authorities on disaster management.[11] The earthquake killed more than 50 people and injured approximately 3,000.[27] The Israeli experts worked in Albania from December 4 to 14, and the IDF reported that the assistance helped schools and hospitals reopen and more than 1,600 families return to their homes.[27]

Albania adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism in 2020, becoming the first Muslim-majority country to do so and committing to combat anti-Jewish prejudice.[9][28] The definition addresses hatred and discrimination against Jews, Holocaust denial, and antisemitism relating to Israel.[9] Its adoption joined educational agreements and commemorative visits as a further expression of Albania’s engagement with Jewish historical memory and opposition to antisemitism.[6][28]

The relationship has repeatedly brought Albanian rescuers and their descendants into contemporary diplomatic encounters, including Rama’s 2015 program in Israel and Herzog’s 2024 visit to Albania.[6][7] At the same time, its practical agenda has broadened from the scholarships and agricultural cooperation proposed in 1991 to oncology, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and defense technology.[14][4] The 2026 general cooperation agreement and agricultural memorandum extended that agenda through new frameworks for business activity, technical exchange, and joint research.[5][12]

Historical interpretation of Albania’s rescue record cautions against reducing the actions of diverse rescuers to a single national explanation.[29] A 2024 study drawing on 27 oral-history interviews with rescuing families emphasized differences in religion, politics, and social status, and identified interacting sociocultural, political, economic, and wartime factors.[29] This approach places explanations centered on besa within a broader examination of individual and local circumstances.[29]

Some reference accounts also use recognition and diplomatic relations inconsistently, describing 1949 as the establishment of relations and 1991 as their resumption.[4] The more specific recognition and diplomatic-missions chronologies distinguish April 16, 1949, as the recognition date from August 1991 as the establishment of diplomatic relations.[15][1]