AJC-American Jewish Committee in Jerusalem organized the Holocaust commemoration
AJC-American Jewish Committee in Jerusalem organized the Holocaust commemoration event “Diplomacy and the Holocaust” featuring a panel discussion with H.E.Ms. Anne Dorte Riggelson, Ambassador of Denmark, H.E.Mr. Bardhyl Canaj, Ambassador of Albania, H.E.Ms. Hellen Deller, Ambassador of Ecuador.
Not only did Albanian people not hand over any Jews to the Nazis but rather there were more Jews in Albania during and after WWII than beforehand. It was an act of humanity, solidarity and absolute resolve to help others even if it meant to risk our lives.
The Albanian tradition of besa, “the promise you give to someone else,” underlined why Albania’s muslim and christian population sheltered and hid not just their Jews but also others coming from Europe, with visa issued by Albanian diplomats.
We are proud that there are 75 Albanian families recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.
Albania adopted the resolution of IHRA definition against Anti -Semitism in October 2020 in the parliamentary session in the framework of Balkan Antisemitism Summit organized by Jewish Impact and CAM/ Combat Antisemitism, most important Balkan summit which gathered virtually Israeli political figures, Speaker of Parliament, Minister of Diaspora etc, US State Secretary, Balkans leaders etc.
Albania’s decision to approve the definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and to maintain a strongly and clearly stance against anti-Semitism strongly reflects the open, diverse, tolerant and democratic character of Albania. This action sends a message to other countries in the region that in a dignified and just society there is no room for anti-Semitism and other manifestations of racism.
In 2020 when Albania served as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), set as priority of the 57 member states organization the fight for combatting antisemitism. And, in February 2020, Albania hosted an OSCE conference as a modest effort to renew the effort of ‘never again’.
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