Besiana Kadare: “A story of humanity: the rescue of Jews in Albania”

Besiana Kadare

Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Albania to the United Nations in New York.

 

On January 31st the Mission of Albania to the United Nations had the honor and the privilege to co-host together with the World Jewish Congress and the UN Department of Global Communication an event on the theme “A story of humanity: the rescue of Jews in Albania”.

I would like to warmly thank all the participants who braved the freezing weather and came to attend our event. For those of you who missed it, and especially those of you who don’t know this exceptional story, please watch the webcast at this link: http://webtv.un.org/…/united-nations-civil-…/5997046246001/…

It was a privilege for us that the President of WJC, the famous activist and philanthropist Ambassador Ronald Lauder, participated himself in the panel and delivered a long statement emphasizing notably that “Albania was the only country occupied by the Axis where the Jewish population was larger after the war than before it started”.

Special thanks also to the CEO of WHC Robert Singer who is the first person I talked to about the idea of this event, back in June 2018, and he immediately and generously offered the help and support of WJC.

I would like to thank Anna Kohen (child of Jewish survivors, born in Vlora) and Majlinda Myrto (whose family has been honored by Yad Vashem as Righteous among the Nations) for participating in the panel and sharing their moving personal stories.

Thanks also to the diplomats at the Mission (Eltion Verleni and Ingrit Prizreni), my assistant Rezi Godo, and the UN team, Kimberly Mann and Tracey Petersen, that worked with us until 1 am the day before the event.

I am particularly grateful and touched that distinguished guests accepted our invitation to attend the event and deliver remarks: Congressman Eliot Engel, Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, acting Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel to New York and Councilman Mark Gjonaj.

Other distinguished guests in the audience included Ambassadors accredited to the United Nations from Austria, Portugal, Malta, Armenia, Guatemala, Ambassador of Kosovo Teuta Sahatqija, representatives to the UN of France, Brasil, India, Macedonia, Montenegro, United Kingdom and many other countries, Councilman Chaim Deutsch, Chair of the Jewish Caucus in the New York City Council, Michael Granoff, Chairman of the Albanian American Enterprise Fund, religious leaders and members of diaspora, the Bicaku family who has been honored as Righteous among the Nations and came from Librazhd especially for the event, American friends of Albania, NGOs, media, personal friends (this list is far from exhaustive).

I have to say that rarely in my diplomatic career have I felt as proud and moved as I felt listening to the high praises and thanks addressed to Albanians during this event.

Indeed it’s remarkable to hear both UN and foreign officials say publicly that the behavior of Albanian people during WWII was an inspiring and admirable example for the whole world to follow!

As it’s impressive to hear the US Ambassador to the UN say that “the United States reaffirms [its] commitment to continue to work with Albania and other countries and partners around the globe to stand up for human rights and to combat anti-Semitism in all its forms.”

UN Under-Secretary Alison Smale said that Albania’s moral courage “embodies the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

“Learning about the history of Albania’s response during the Holocaust is important because it demonstrates compassionate behavior” explained Ms. Smale.

Particularly powerful was the statement of Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel to NY: he said that Albanians deserve to be called the righteous nation,” because it was the only country that made sure that “not even one Jewish life” was taken by Nazi Germany. In the “dark days” when the benchmark was “being evil”, the fact that Albania upheld its moral compass “is even much more remarkable,” he said.

Congressman Eliot Engel, Chairman of the US Foreign Affairs Committee, said: “We still have our work to do to follow the brave Albanian citizens who saved Jews during the Holocaust” and to “make sure that hatred against any group does not rear its ugly head”.

While the ambassador of Austria said that he felt shameful that his own compatriots could not behave during WWII as Albanians did.

These were unique, powerful moments of pride for the country I represent, moments that I will always cherish.

Below a few pictures from the event, taken by the great Ilir Rizaj, whose grace and elegance are always recognizable.