Albanian Rescue

Albanian Rescue

Albania, located in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, is a nation of rich and turbulent history, beautiful and mountainous landscapes, and complex governmental and economic changes. After decades of isolation under a communist regime, Albania has made significant political, economic, and social reforms since the early 1990s. This case study explores key aspects of Albania's history in the period leading up to and including its involvement in World War II and the Holocaust.

The many powers who conquered Albania dramatically  impacted its history. As early as the Roman conquest, the region experienced cultural and political shifts. Throughout time, the people of this region lived first under the influence of Christianity, then Orthodoxy and finally Islam; however, with each change, the previous religions did not disappear. Today, while most Albanians are Muslim, there is still a significant Christian population and a small number of Jews.

In the region of the Balkans where Albania is located, community was vital for survival. This led to the development of the concept of besa, which dates back to the times when Albania was a crossroads of cultures and faiths. In Albanian culture, besa* is a deeply rooted belief in a traditional code of honor, trust, and moral responsibility. The term comes from the Albanian verb besoj, which means "to believe" or "to trust." Besa signifies a solemn promise or a pledge, usually made in good faith, and that must be upheld no matter the personal cost. These promises are fundamental in Albanian society, especially in rural and mountainous areas, where besa governed relationships and interactions.

As nationalism rose on the European continent in the 19^th century, Albanian nationalism lagged; however, with the rise of the Young Turks, the people of Albania began to form a sense of national identity. Nonetheless, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that significant numbers of Albanians began to participate in a growing movement with the goal of establishing their own nation state. The centralizing efforts of the Young Turks in the early 1900s and the restriction of Albanian freedoms led to increased resistance and the creation of the Albanian state in 1912.

World War I impacted Albanian independence as the fragile state was occupied by many different forces. At the end of the war, Albanian leaders needed to reconstruct the nation’s infrastructure and rekindle the people’s pride in nationhood, since the war had resulted in a return to regionalism and tribal identities.

The independent nation of Albania worked to create a cohesive state, one in which all individuals were able to pursue a peaceful living. They were not without their struggles and worked to rebuild after the first World War.

Before World War II, Albania had a small but established Jewish community of approximately 200-300 Jews. Most of these were Sephardic Jews who had settled in Albania after fleeing the Spanish Inquisition in the late 15th century. Members of the Jewish community lived primarily in cities such as Tirana, Durrës, and Shkodra. Most of Albania's population were Muslims, with some Orthodox Christians, creating a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. This diversity, coupled with the ethos of the Albanian people, created a unique response to both Italian and German occupation during World War II. Although Albania's relatively small Jewish population could have faced extermination during the Nazi-led Holocaust, the actions of Albanians is a symbol of resistance and compassion. This case study explores the relationship between Albania and the Holocaust, focusing on the protection and rescue of Jews during the Nazi occupation.

In 1939, Italy invaded Albania and claimed it as part of the Italian Empire. Initially, the Italians imposed restrictive measures toward the Jewish population but they were far less harsh than those of the Nazis. However, after Italy surrendered to the Allies in 1943, the Nazis took control of Albania, and the situation for the Jews worsened. Nazi forces, along with their collaborators, aimed to round up Jews for deportation to concentration camps in Eastern Europe.

During this period, Albania’s government and most of the population responded in unexpected ways. Rather than facilitating the Nazi persecution of Jews, local Albanian leaders and ordinary citizens took action to protect Jews from the Nazi regime.

Several factors contributed to Albania's relatively positive response to the Jewish population during the Holocaust:

1. Religious and Cultural Values: Albanian culture, particularly in rural areas, was deeply influenced by the traditional values of hospitality and respect for guests. These values are part of besa, an unspoken but strong code of honor to protect those in need. Many Albanians saw the protection of Jews as part of their moral and religious duty, leading to Muslim and Christian Albanians sheltering Jewish families by hiding them in their homes or in the countryside.
2. Religious Solidarity: Albania's Muslim population, both Sunni and Bektashi, played a crucial role in sheltering Jews. The country’s relatively liberal form of Islam, combined with Albania’s tradition of religious tolerance, fostered cooperation between different faith groups in protecting the Jewish community. The country’s Christian population also played a significant role, with Orthodox Christians and Catholics working alongside their Muslim neighbors.
3. Albanian Resistance: The Albanian resistance movements, which opposed both the Italian and German occupations, contributed to saving Jews from Nazi deportation. They actively resisted the Nazi authorities, making it difficult for them to capture or deport Jews. Some Jewish families were even able to escape to neighboring countries, such as Yugoslavia or Greece, with the help of Albanian partisans.
4. The Role of Local Leaders: Local leaders in various Albanian towns and villages helped hide Jews from the Nazis. One notable figure was the leader of the Albanian Jewish community, Moise Dajti, who played a key role in protecting Jews during the Nazi occupation. Other individuals and families also took personal risks to shield Jewish people from the Gestapo.

Despite the efforts of Nazi Germany to implement the Final Solution across Europe, Albania was the only European country to have a higher Jewish population after the war than before it. Albania’s Jewish community not only survived the Holocaust, but many Jews in the country even thrived, often due to the protection and shelter provided by the Albanian people.

Estimates suggest that nearly all of Albania's Jewish population survived the Holocaust, and Albanian families rescued and took in an additional 300-500 Jews from other countries. This act of solidarity was unprecedented in Nazi-occupied Europe, where most countries either actively participated in the deportation of Jews or were complicit in the efforts to erase Jewish populations.

For many years, the world did not recognize Albania's role in rescuing Jews during the Holocaust. During the communist regime of Enver Hoxha (1946–1985), Albania was an isolated country, and its history during World War II was either misrepresented or ignored. It wasn’t until the post-communist period in the 1990s, that Albania’s role in saving Jews began to gain attention.

In 1997, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Israel honored Albania as one of the few countries where the Jewish population survived the war. As of 2023, Yad Vashem awarded 75 Albanians, both Muslim and Christian, the title of "Righteous Among the Nations" for their role in saving Jews.

Ultimately, the case of Albania and the Holocaust serves as a powerful example of the strength of local resistance and the role of ordinary people in protecting those persecuted by totalitarian regimes. Despite Nazi occupation, Albania’s unique cultural and religious values allowed it to become a sanctuary for Jews during the Holocaust and resist Nazi policies. This story underscores the importance of human compassion and solidarity in the face of one of the darkest chapters in human history.

The Albanian experience during the Holocaust demonstrates that even under occupation and oppressive regimes, communities can resist injustice and protect the most vulnerable. This legacy of altruism and resistance remains a testament to the enduring spirit of Albania’s people during a time of unimaginable horror.