Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Tirana, Hoxha reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East, stressing the importance of ensuring Israel’s security while pursuing a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

Reflecting on the history of the Jewish people and the tragedy of the Holocaust, Hoxha said the establishment of Israel stemmed from the aspiration of the Jewish people to live in security and dignity.

He condemned the Oct. 7 attacks and highlighted the devastating toll of the ensuing conflict on innocent civilians in both Israel and Palestine.

“No nation can be expected to accept the threat of terrorism against its citizens, just as lasting peace cannot exist amid insecurity, violence and constant fear,” Hoxha said, adding that the international community must help create conditions in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in security, dignity and hope.

Hoxha said Albania had become a founding member of the Board of Peace and had committed to contributing to the International Stabilization Force in support of security, stability and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

He also recalled Albania’s role in sheltering Jewish families during the Holocaust, describing their protection as one of the proudest chapters in the country’s history.

“Albanians opened their homes and their hearts, welcoming and protecting Jewish families and ensuring that those seeking refuge found shelter, security and dignity,” he said.

Hoxha said this legacy was embodied in the Albanian tradition of besa – a pledge of honour and a promise kept – and reflected the values of hospitality, solidarity and respect for human life.

To preserve this shared history, Albania is moving forward with plans for the Besa Museum in Tirana and the Jewish Museum in Vlora, he said.

“These institutions will serve as centres of education and culture, celebrating the historical ties between our peoples and recognising the enduring presence and contribution of the Jewish community to Albanian society,” Hoxha said.

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The film, shot in 2024, was initiated by educator Murad Awdallah, who promotes religious coexistence among young people.

The documentary, which focuses on Awdallah, who serves as the head of the Arabic division at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, follows a journey aimed at teaching young Jewish and Arab audiences how Albanians saved at least 2,000 Jews during World War Two.

According to the Albanian Embassy in Israel, the film centres on a group of Israeli youths from different religious backgrounds seeking to understand the Albanian concept of “besa” – a traditional code of honour credited with helping save thousands of lives during the Holocaust.

“In a world that often feels divided and unsettled, there is a greater need than ever to return to core human values: respect, tolerance and love for others,” the Embassy said. “We must teach these values not only in words, but through example. Albanians carry within them a rare heritage – ‘besa’ – and in every Albanian bound by honour lies a spark of light for the world.”

The documentary also features Albanian Ambassador to Israel Meri Kumbe, members of Albanian families who sheltered Jews during the war, and Felicita Jakoel, a representative of the Albanian-Jewish community in Israel.

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The exhibition, featuring photographs and stories curated by journalist Carlo Bollino and photographer Norman Gershman, presents Albania as a rare example in Europe where the Jewish population increased during the war rather than diminished.

Rama praised the heroism of Albanian families who refused to comply with Nazi orders, emphasizing that their actions were not political strategy but moral choices.

“When the Nazis demanded lists of Jews, Albanians destroyed them. When others handed over neighbors, Albanians offered protection. When obedience became a silent ally, Albania chose the risky path of responsibility,” he said.

The Premier described the exhibition as “not just a showcase of history, but a compass we must follow,” noting that simple acts of kindness – sharing bread, hiding a child, or sheltering entire families – preserved humanity in a time when totalitarianism sought to erase it.

Rama said Albania’s moral stance during the Holocaust stands as a guiding example for today.

Rama described Albania’s stance during the Holocaust as a testament to the country’s enduring tradition of “besa” – the pledge of honor and hospitality – and said it offers a model of moral courage for the present.

“Albania refused moral compromise and emerged from World War II as the only country in Europe with more Jews than before the war,” he stated.

The exhibition features both the faces of Jewish families who found refuge in Albania and the Albanian families who hosted them, reflecting the country’s tradition of besa – the pledge of honor and hospitality, as well as acts of bravery and human solidarity in one of Europe’s darkest periods.

“May the memory of those who were saved and those who saved them be a blessing for all. God bless those who rescued Jews and kept Albania from shame,” Rama added.

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During his remarks on this occasion, Begaj praised the contribution of the founders of this club, the players and coaches during a century, transforming the team and football into a unifying spirit and spiritual symbol of the citizens of Kavaja.

The Head of State mentioned by name the legendary players of the “Besa” football team, such as: Qemal Vogli, Muharrem Karriqi, Nimet Mërhori, Dash Bajaziti, Altin Raklli, Sokol Cikalleshi and Andi Lila, who have honored the “Besa” jersey over the years.

“The great value of “Besa” lies in the spirit of its fans, who followed it everywhere and continue to support it with all their hearts, as the fans of Kavaja city do when they love and believe in a value”, emphasized Begaj.

The Head of State said that the “Besa” team should be supported not only for these values ​​and the longevity of a century as a team, but also for the fact that football always remains an inspiration for young people and is a valuable investment for every community.

On this 100th anniversary of the “Besa” team of Kavaja”, Begaj expressed gratitude to all those who wrote this history, the coaches who formed generations of athletes, the footballers who gave everything for the jersey, the Kavaja fans who never left the team alone, in victory or defeat, as well as those who have contributed to documenting the history of “Besa”. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja gave the news while he shared in the social media views from the “Besa” Museum.

“The evaluation with the prestigious award promotes the “Besa” Museum in the ranks of the highest classifications in the world of architecture”, said the minister.

Oppenheim Architecture has taken care so that every designed element reflects “Besa” in itself, i.e. the Albanian code of honor and the old traditions conveyed from generation to generation, offering everyone a golden mirror of Albanian patriotism.

The museum will be a new destination, a landmark of Tirana city for all those who want to get acquainted with the glorious page of the history of the Albanians in defense of the Jews during the Second World War.

It will be erected in the building known as the “House of the Libohovas”, a Category I Culture Monument, located next to the Castle of Tirana and the Toptani mansion. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

Kokëdhima will perform on the second night of the semi-finals of Eurovision 2024 when, after the draw, it has been determined that she will be the 6th in a row, on Thursday, May 9.

Besa Kokëdhima gained the votes of the public at the 62nd Song Festival on Albanian Radio Television with the song “Titan”.

Eurovision 2024 will be broadcasted live by Albanian Radio Television. Only 20 countries will be selected from the two semi-finals to proceed to the grand final on May 11, which will be joined by the 5 permanent finalist countries and the host country Sweden./p.s./

“During the journey to join the big European family, we have not forgotten that we are moving forward as Albanians. We shall enter Europe by giving the word of honor and we shall pass these inherited values down to our children”, said the minister at the beginning of the presentation.

She extended a call to all those architects who want to have the concept of the given word, i.e. Besa as part of their professionalism and effort to leave a new landmark in the city of Tirana.

The design competition, which opens today, will go through two phases. The first phase will be that of the expression of interest, for which 500 invitations have already been sent to the most renowned studios around the world; while the second phase will be the submission of the five best project concepts.

The minister referred to the works of Ismail Kadare, whose translators found it difficult and almost impossible to translate “besa” into foreign languages and the great weight it carries in the value of raising a family and in the message that this word conveys.

“It is a rare beauty of the Albanian language that this word has no translation, but is said everywhere in Albanian, “Besa”. It is a moral obligation that we have as an institution to convey this unique Albanian value to the coming generations, not simply in stories and literature, but through a building that will mark a more than symbolic moment for all the citizens of this nation”, said the minister at the competition announcement ceremony.

To create an entirely Albanian space, there has been selected for this purpose a symbolic building in the city center, a cultural monument. According to Margariti, this counts as “another slap for anyone who says that this government or this municipality is ruining the country’s history”.

The building where the “Besa” museum will be built is located near the walls of the Tirana fortress and it was completely abandoned. But, it will be transformed into a space where young people can learn about the “besa” and our European dimension. Meanwhile, Minister Margariti took the opportunity to announce that soon even “Toptani residence” will get restored into an ethnographic museum to the city./p.s./