Rama’s Israel visit sparks protests at home after Knesset speech blaming Hamas for Gaza
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s visit to Israel has triggered protests in Albania following a speech to the Knesset in which he placed full responsibility for Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe on Hamas while avoiding any reference to the Palestinian death toll.
Addressing Israeli lawmakers, Rama praised Israel’s leadership and highlighted Albania’s historic protection of Jews during World War II, stressing the close ties between Tirana and Tel Aviv. He argued that Gaza’s suffering is widely misinterpreted and described Hamas as the sole “jailer” of the enclave, saying lasting peace would be impossible without the group’s complete dismantling.
Rama’s remarks prompted Arab lawmakers in the Knesset to walk out, while critics in Albania described the speech as one-sided and accused the prime minister of aligning his country firmly with Israel’s narrative on the war.
The visit sparked demonstrations in the Albanian capital, Tirana, where protesters carrying Albanian and Palestinian flags condemned Rama’s Israel trip and his stance on Gaza, chanting slogans such as “Not in our name.”
