Albanian PM Rama defends Israel, ignores genocide, deaths in Gaza

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama used his Knesset address to absolve Israel of responsibility for Gaza’s devastation, blaming Hamas alone while sidestepping Israel’s role in genocidal attacks, the humanitarian crisis and the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed.

Addressing Israel’s parliament, Knesset, on Tuesday, Rama opened his speech by expressing goodwill toward Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and highlighting Albania’s long-standing solidarity with the Jewish people.

Rama highlighted Albania’s historical support for Jews, saying the country and its people, who he noted stood "as few others did for the Jewish people,” deserved recognition from Israel.

He said he was honored to receive the Presidential Medal of Honour from President Isaac Herzog, whom he described as a "noble and faithful friend of Albania.”

However, Albanian experts in an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA) underlined that Rama’s speech was "one-sided,” putting Albania in a position of supporting Israel in the Gaza war.

Albanian political analyst Marlind Laci, commenting on the speech, stressed that Rama’s government "has no clear plan,” guided more by Rama’s "personal instinct” than by Albania’s national interest.

"There is no medium-term or long-term plan regarding the objectives of the Republic of Albania in the Balkans and the Middle East,” he underlined.

Rama absolves Israel of responsibility, declaring Hamas sole ‘jaile