Albania
Albania is a small country in South East Europe by the Adriatic sea opposite Italy.
Following the Ottoman occupation it became mostly a Muslim country.
Small numbers of Jews have lived there since Roman times.
It was long regarded as a poor but safe haven for Jews.
Many took refuge there from Nazis.
When Italy invaded in 1939, anti Jewish race laws were not enforced.
When the Germans invaded in 1943 there was strong opposition to Nazi round up of Jews.
Most Albanian Jews survived the war because of the kindness of their fellow Albanians.
Albania
Albania is a small country on the Adriatic Sea. Since the Ottoman empire had expanded into the region it had become mostly Muslim. After a brief spell as a republic it became a monarchy but had severe economic problems and political instability.
Jews had lived in Albania since Roman times but numbers were small. Under Ottoman (Turkish) rule the Jewish population had expanded but total numbers were still small even before the Second World War. Compared to other countries it was regarded as a safe haven for Jews and many took refuge there to escape the growing antisemitism that existed even before the rise of the Nazis.
Even when Italy invaded Albania in 1939, some anti-Jewish rules were not strongly enforced and instead many Albanians demonstrated acts of kindness to Jews. This friendly attitude towards Jews became vitally significant when the Nazis occupied Albania in1943. There was strong resistance to attempted Nazi round ups of Jews.
“Our parents were devout Muslims and believed, as we do, that ‘every knock on the door is a blessing from God.’ We never took any money from our Jewish guests. All persons are from God. Besa exists in every Albanian soul.”
“Now we are one family. You won’t suffer any evil. My sons and I will defend you against peril at the cost of our lives.”
A quote by Sazah Hoxa whose father saved four Jewish families by hiding them in underground bunkers.