The Albanian ambassador to Israel does not live near his colleagues in the “diplomatic ghetto” of Herzliya Pituah. Bashkin Dino and his wife live in Ramat Aviv. He has only praise for his life there. “I enjoy Israel very much, and I have excellent relations with Israelis. There is an extraordinary vitality in this place. I have been received very well in Israel – not only by the authorities but also by the people.”
The other Albanian diplomat in the embassy, First Secretary Artan Naqe, is also well integrated into the fabric of Israeli life, largely because his 14-year-old son goes neither to the American International School in Kfar Shmaryahu nor the French school in Jaffa where most diplomats’ children study, but to an Israeli state school. “He speaks Hebrew like any other child here, his school is excellent, and that causes our entire family to become integrated into local life.”
Both of the Albanian diplomats, as representatives of a country with a Muslim majority, weigh their words carefully on all matters relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “There are many differences between the Balkans and the Middle East, but there are many similarities too,” Naqe says. “There seems to be more optimism than in the past, maybe now some kind of agreement can be signed and the conflict ended.”
The ambassador himself clarifies the official Albanian position: “We are in favor of an agreement reached through negotiations that will lead to a situation in which there are two states with secure borders living in peace side by side.”
Dino defines current events on the international stage as a struggle against terrorism. “It is absolutely not a war of religions. Albania is part of the international coalition against terror led by the United States, and although we are a small state we have also made our small contribution.” With regard to Islam – a rather sensitive subject these days – Albania is careful to stay a safe distance from the storm. “Albania doesn’t have a particularly religious atmosphere,” the ambassador says. “Most Albanians are not religious, and people of all religions in the country, including Catholics and Orthodox [Christians], have lived peacefully together for generations.”
He does not leave the Jews out of this mix. “Our solidarity with the Jews stood the supreme test during World War II. No Jew was captured by the Germans in Albania. The Albanians saw the Jews as their brothers and they protected and rescued them. That spirit of friendship between our two people has continued, and it will continue forever.”
https://www.haaretz.com/1.5467429
