Albania opposed to Palestinian unilateralism, PM Sali Berisha tells gathering in Jerusalem
Tue, 22 Nov 2011
In a speech before the Israel Council on Foreign Relations (ICFR), which operates under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress, Albania's Prime Minister Barisha on Monday declared that his government was categorically opposed to attempts to secure recognition of a Palestinian state in the United Nations. "Short cuts will not produce the desired result - peace," he said. Turning to the issue of Iran, the Albanian leader said: "A nuclear Iran is for sure the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region and in the world…There is only one man who I know of today who is using the same language which the Nazis used 70 years ago and that is President Ahmedinejad."
Albania was a predominantly Muslim country, but could serve as a model of coexistence and mutual respect, Berisha said. He decried the hijacking of Islam by extremists. Speaking on the long tradition of friendship between Albania - which rescued its Jewish community and many Jewish refugees seeking sanctuary during the Shoah - he reiterated his country's admiration for the Jewish state and expressed his satisfaction that Israel would shortly be opening an embassy in Tirana.
The Jerusalem-based ICFR serves as a platform for distinguished foreign visitors who wish to present their views in a nongovernmental setting and is devoted to the study and debate of foreign policy, with special emphasis on Israeli and Jewish concerns. The ICFR functions under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress. The Council publishes The Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, which appears three times per year.
Photos: Andres Lacko
We welcome any comments you may have on this article. Comments are moderated and we reserve the right to edit or remove any which are derogatory or offensive. The WJC is not responsible for the content of any comments.
Subscribe to our newsletter
The rise and fall of Jewish Salonica - TLV1
In the late 15th century, the then-Ottoman city (today the Greek city of Thessaloniki) welcomed large numbers of Sephardi Jews who had been expelled from Spain, making it very soon the largest Jewish city in Europe. A series of crises and disasters, culminating in the Nazi occupation in the 1940s, led to its ultimate destruction.
WJC President Lauder condemns Egypt attack: Muslim leaders must speak out and protect Christians in the Middle East
‘Let this be a Ramadan of peace for Muslims and non-Muslims alike,' says Lauder.
WJC CEO praises Serbia's law on restitution of Nazi-looted Jewish property
World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer was in Serbia this week for talks with political leaders and representatives of the local Jewish community.
WJC President Lauder urges CUNY to replace Linda Sarsour as commencement speaker
“CUNY must not provide a stage for a person who perpetuates anti-Semitism and discrimination, or who advocates for violence of any kind, be it directly or indirectly. We urge CUNY to rescind its invitation to Linda Sarsour and find a commencement speaker worthy of speaking to its graduates,” Lauder said.
WJC and Israel’s Mission to UN to co-host annual 'Ambassadors Against BDS' summit at UN headquarters in New York
US Ambassador Nikki Haley to headline anti-BDS conference, held in UN General Assembly Hall; more than 2,000 students, dignitaries, public officials, diplomats and opinion makers, expected to attend.
Under pressure, Amazon stops selling three Holocaust-denial books - Jewish Chronicle
The online retailer Amazon.com has stopped selling three Holocaust-denial books after the World Jewish Congress and Yad Vashem voiced growing frustration that Amazon was giving a platform to anti-Semites.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder thanks US Senators for letter supporting Jewish communities amid escalating anti-Semitism
“It is beyond reassuring to know that members of the US Senate are taking these threats seriously and are committed to protecting our communities,” Lauder said.
Jewish community in Kyrgyzstan honors citizens who welcomed Jewish refugees during Holocaust
An estimated 20,000 Ashkenazi Jews found refuge in Kyrgyzstan during the Holocaust, according to the Jewish Virtual Library. These refugees were able to settle into their temporary homes with relative ease and in most cases lived in peace and harmony with their neighbors.
There are no comments
Fill up the form above and be the first one