Netanyahu Mentions Skanderbeg and Albanian Heroism in Knesset: Could Rama’s Israel Visit Strain Albania–Turkey Relations Amid Rising Israel–Turkey Tensions?

 Rama in Jerusalem: A Historic Speech with Potential Geopolitical Consequences

 Rama and Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Januarry 26, 2026

On Monday, January 26, 2026, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama made a historic visit to Jerusalem, where he was invited as an honored guest to address the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) in a rare plenary session reserved for foreign leaders. The visit was widely seen as a diplomatic milestone for Albania–Israel relations, highlighting shared values, historical memory, and mutual respect.

However, beyond the symbolic warmth and historic recognition, Rama’s visit — and particularly the remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — may carry delicate geopolitical implications, especially in relation to Albania’s strong and strategic partnership with Turkey.

🏛️ Netanyahu Mentions Skanderbeg: A Powerful Symbol, a Sensitive Message

During his address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referenced Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, praising the Albanian spirit of resistance, honor, and heroism. Skanderbeg, who famously fought against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, remains a central symbol of Albanian national identity.

For Albanians, this mention was received with pride. Yet in diplomatic terms, invoking Skanderbeg — particularly in the context of resistance against Ottoman rule — is not politically neutral, especially at a time when Israel–Turkey relations are strained and rhetoric between Ankara and Tel Aviv has grown increasingly sharp.

Turkey’s leadership, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has historically reacted sensitively to narratives that frame Ottoman history in adversarial terms — especially when amplified on global stages.

✡️ Albania and the Holocaust: A Moral Legacy Reaffirmed

Prime Minister Rama’s speech focused heavily on Albania’s unique role during World War II, emphasizing that Albania was the only European country to emerge from the war with more Jews than it had before.

“During the Holocaust, when the Nazis tried to take the Jews, Albanians said: you may take our gold, but you will not take our Jews,” Rama stated, calling this historical truth not a legend, but “Albania itself.”

Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stressing that Muslim Albanians, alongside Christians, risked their lives to hide Jews, share scarce food, and protect persecuted families during both Italian and German occupations.

This moral chapter of Albanian history is universally admired — and rarely contested — but its current political framing, particularly in Israel, comes at a moment of deep polarization in the Middle East.

The Turkey Factor: A Quiet Diplomatic Balancing Act

Albania enjoys excellent relations with Turkey, personally cultivated by Edi Rama and President Erdoğan, encompassing military cooperation, infrastructure investment, humanitarian aid, and cultural ties. Turkey is among Albania’s most influential strategic partners.

At the same time, relations between Israel and Turkey are tense, marked by harsh political rhetoric, disagreements over Gaza, and deteriorating trust. In diplomatic circles, there is even speculation about the risk of a broader regional confrontation, should tensions escalate further.

In this fragile context, Rama’s visible alignment with Israeli narratives — combined with Netanyahu’s symbolic references to Skanderbeg — could place Albania in a delicate balancing position, even if unintentionally.

⚖️ Could Albania Be Caught Between Two Strategic Partners?

While Albania has consistently pursued a balanced foreign policy, the symbolism of this visit raises legitimate questions:

• Could the public celebration of Skanderbeg in the Knesset be perceived negatively in Ankara?
• Might Turkey interpret Albania’s growing closeness with Israel as a shift rather than a complement?
• Can Rama continue to maintain personal trust with Erdoğan while deepening strategic visibility in Israel?

So far, there is no official indication of concern from Turkey, and Rama has carefully avoided any anti-Turkish rhetoric. Still, diplomacy often operates on perception as much as intention.

🌍 Rama’s Message: Peace, Not Polarization

In his Knesset address, Rama emphasized that Albania supports peace initiatives, opposes extremism, and rejects hatred in all forms — including antisemitism and Islamophobia. He highlighted that no anti-Israel protests occurred in Albania, despite regional tensions.

He also referenced Albania’s decision to shelter Iranian dissidents, acknowledging the cyberattacks that followed — reinforcing the idea that protecting lives often comes with serious risks.

This framing positions Albania as a moral actor, not a geopolitical provocateur — yet moral diplomacy can still carry strategic consequences.

🔍 Conclusion: A Diplomatic Triumph with Strategic Sensitivities

Edi Rama’s visit to Israel was undeniably a diplomatic success, strengthening Albania–Israel relations and elevating Albania’s moral standing on the global stage.

However, the mention of Skanderbeg by Netanyahu, combined with current Israel–Turkey tensions, introduces a layer of complexity that Albania’s diplomacy must now carefully navigate.

For Albania, the challenge ahead is clear:
to honor its history, deepen partnerships, and avoid being drawn into regional polarizations that could strain long-standing alliances — especially with Turkey.