“Now, after three quarters of a century, we can look back and see how much we have achieved but also look forward and see where we want to be. And if you ask yourself what is the secret of Israel? What is the mysterious ingredient? I'll tell you: in Israel we have no obstacles but only challenges. And every challenge has a solution.”

With these words the Israeli Ambassador to Albania, Galit Peleg summed up the celebration of the achievement of the ‘Israeli miracle’ in 75 years of statehood rising from ashes to triumph looking to the sky overcoming enormous hardship and challenges relying on strong faith in their dreams in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News.  

“We the spirit of Start Up Nation, we became a hi-tech empire and innovation nation, learned that the sky is not the limit and advanced in space research, artificial Intelligence medicine research, smart cities, electric cars, renewable energy and more,” said the Ambassador, pointing out that in the political level Israel has established relations with the leading countries among its neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Ambassador saw the Albanian-Israeli relationship rooted many centuries ago when Albanians saved Jews during the WWII 80 years ago and for that the Israeli people will always be grateful.  But she thought that the two countries could not stop there, hoping that the coming generations will keep these good relations. “I believe not. Therefore, we need to aspire to strengthen our relations on several levels… But the economic relations contribute to the stability and to the long-lasting relationship,” Her Excellency Peleg said, unveiling that In the second half of 2023 they plan to organize in Tirana at least two more Israel- Albania business forums.

Touching upon the political aspect of the links between our two countries, the Ambassador saidIsrael indeed opened an embassy in the capital Tirana, but the Albanian embassy is still in Tel Aviv. “We will be very pleased when Albania will open its embassy in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.”

In the meantime, the Israeli top diplomat in Tirana broke the news that soon the visit of Israel's foreign minister is expected. Autumn is mentioned as evntual date of this important visit of the chief of Jerusalem's diplomacy. 

Asked about the worsening situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories lately, the Ambassador said the situation in the area is very complicated and she could not say that it could be solved easily by any of the sides. According to her, Israel is a sovereign country that is under a constant threat of terror organizations supported by Iran that have only one goal – eliminate Israel. Unfortunately, sometimes the international community does not differentiate between a terror organization whose goal is to kill as many Israelis as possible, and a legitimate member of the UN which is trying to protect its citizens. We are thankful to the Albanian government and foreign minister (Olta) Xhacka for leading a policy that brings balance to the Security Council, when dealing in the case of Israel, Her Excellency Galit Peleg said.     

“The international community, including the UN, plays an important role in bringing a solution to our region, but as long as one side sees the only solution as eliminating the state of Israel, I don't see a solution. If anyone had a doubt – here's my message to them: Israel was established 75 years ago – and it is here to stay!” said the Ambassador of Israel to Tirana, Galit Peleg in the following interview:

Albanian Daily News:A festive reception was held in Tirana on 18th of May to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. Your Excellency, what could you tell ADN's readers about the significance of that milestone in the history of the Israeli people?

Israeli Ambassador Galit Peleg: This year we celebrate Israel's 75th anniversary, since the state of Israel was established in 1948, but the history of the Jewish people in the land of Israel starts 3000 years ago. So it depends how you count.

Many describe Israel as a miracle, and indeed if you look at what has been achieved in only 75 years and under what circumstances it's hard to believe.In 1948 there were around 60,000 Jews in Israel. Later hundreds of thousands of Holocaust survivors that came from Europe, exhausted physically and mentally, with no property joined them, coming as refugees. Another hundreds of thousands were Jews from Arab countries who were persecuted and had to flee their countries.

They all started building the new state, their old new homeland, in a very hostile environment where none of their neighbors accepted them. And nature in Israel was tough: no water, not too many agricultural lands, no oil or gas or any other natural resources. So they fought the desert and the drought, they strengthened the cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and modernized them. And also build tens of new cities.

75 years later despite all challenges here we are: From a country which lacks water and lands – we became leaders in water management and agrotechnology.

We the spirit of Start Up Nation, we became a hi-tech empire and innovation nation, learned that the sky is not the limit and advanced in space research, artificial Intelligence medicine research, smart cities, electric cars, renewable energy and more.

At the political level we established relations with the leading countries among our neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa.

Now, after three quarters of a century, we can look back and see how much we have achieved but also look forward and see where we want to be. And if you ask yourself what is the secret of Israel? What is the mysterious ingredient? I'll tell you: in Israel we have no obstacles but only challenges. And every challenge has a solution.

- I have observed, Your Excellency, that you seem very much keen on the promotion of the economic relations between Albania and Israel as one of your main priorities of your mission in Albania. Although a short time since the start of your ambassadorial mandate, what could you say on the current economic exchanges between our two countries and their perspectives, of course taking into consideration this aspect against the background of the global economic situation?

- In our era economic relations are the solid basis for any bilateral relations between countries. The friendship between our both countries goes back beyond the diplomatic relations that were established 31 years ago. Our relations started when Albanians saved Jews during the war 80 years ago and for that we will always be grateful. But can we stop there and hope that the coming generations will keep these good relations? I believe not. Therefore, we need to aspire to strengthen our relations on several levels. History is important, values are no less important, that's why we are working on educational programs together that will tell our stories and never forget. But the economic relations contribute to the stability and to the long-lasting relationship.  

It is clear that Albania as a fast-developing country has a lot to offer for the Israeli investors. Agriculture is a main component of Albania's GDP, the emerging infrastructure of transportation, the high-tech sector, water management, energy, tourism and real estate and more are attractive to the Israelis.

On the other side Israeli businesses are very attractive to Albania, being innovative, close, suitable for small markets such as Albania and world leading in tailor made solutions for the sectors above.

There are some Israeli companies that are active in Albania, but definitely not enough! We as an embassy, in cooperation with the Albanian embassy in Israel, took upon ourselves the mission to expose to the Israelis what Albania has to offer and encourage them to do business here. Lately we refreshed our economic department, we follow opportunities and forward them to potential investors in Israel.  Last march a delegation of 85 Israeli companies came to Albania for a special tech conference. Some of them found interest to invest here. In the second half of 2023 we plan to organize here in Tirana at least two more Israel- Albania business forums.     

-One of the momentous developments in the bilateral relationship between Albania and Israel was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on military and defense cooperation by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his Albanian counterpart Niko Peleshi in Tel Aviv in May this year. As this is the first of its kind between the two ministries, please, could you tell us some details on such an upgrade of the cooperation in this sensitive field like defense at these turbulent times?  It should be noted that a MoU on cyber defense was signed earlier in January this year between the relevant authorities of the two countries, while PM Edi Rama paid a visit to Check Point Software Technologies Ltd in Tel Aviv where he met Gil Shwed, its co-founder and CEO.

-The more our world becomes smaller, the more our challenges become similar. In the security aspect – countries like Albania and Israel, two democracies that share the same values and are on the same side of the map in terms of friends – are very likely to have the same enemies. Our enemies are naturally those who don't believe in the values, who support terror etc.

Obviously, there are matters that remain in the room when talking about security cooperation. But since you ask about the Cyber MOU that was signed on January 31st it is important to mention also that security threats nowadays can come not only from the border but also from your laptop at home.     

Unfortunately, since it was established, Israel has been constantly under existential threats. Therefore, we were forced to develop sophisticated solutions to protect our citizens from those threats. When it comes to good friends as Albania, we are willing to share the knowledge we acquired.

- Next August marks the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Israel with both countries opening embassies in their respective capitals. Turning back in time in 1991 a year, which closed the chapter of Albania’s self-isolation and opened the door to the Albanian – Israeli relationship like with many other western countries, how would you assess the progress of the strengthening of the links between our two countries and particularly the bond between Albanians and Israelis rediscovering each other?      

- Well, Israel indeed opened an embassy in the capital Tirana, but the Albanian embassy is still in Tel Aviv. We will be very pleased when Albania will open its embassy in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.

No doubt the bilateral relations between Israel and Albania are getting closer and stronger. In the level of government to government we have an ongoing dialogue in political, cultural, economic and development issues. We have implemented an educational program of Holocaust studies in Albania and also include the Albania chapter in the Israeli educational system. Members of Albania's government often visit Israel, including PM Rama.

Soon we are expecting the visit of Israel's foreign minister. We signed agreements and memorandums of understanding in the fields of defense, cyber, culture and more.

On the people-to people, we notice more Israelis having interest in Albania, tourists spending their vacations in Albania, the renewal of the direct flights and also articles in the newspapers about Albania. Of course, we try to do more.

- As a follow up, do you think that Albania has the potential to become an attraction for Israeli tourists, and are there any possibilities of cooperation in this field? 

- I find your country not only one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but a country that has tons of potential to become a "hot- spot" destination for Israeli tourists. You have a beautiful Riviera, nature, fascinating archeological sites. You have tasty and unique food, colorful heritage. You have so much to show to the world. The potential is all around.

From an Israeli point of view, one can find here a new and attractive destination almost 6 months per year, very close to Israel, not expensive, very close in mentality. I can see Israelis coming here in hundreds of thousands – to the beaches in the summer and to Tirana for the weekend all year round. It is on your touristic authorities to promote and brand Albania as the next best destination for Israelis.

- Please let me touch upon the worsening situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories a few days ago. How would you assess those developments and do you think that a solution would be found to put an end to this endlessly bloody conflict? Secondly, do you think that the UN and particularly its Security Council could contribute more to mediate for overcoming this situation?   

- The situation in our area is very complicated and I can't say that it can be solved easily by any of the sides, but I can tell you this: Israel is a sovereign country that is under a constant threat of terror organizations supported by Iran that have only one goal – eliminate Israel.

Israel not only has the right to defend itself, it has the duty to protect its citizens. Unlike Hamas which is the official government in Gaza but does not hesitate to put its citizens in danger daily, Israel is committed to its population. And when I say population, I refer to Jews and Arabs.    

Unfortunately, sometimes the international community does not differentiate between a terror organization whose goal is to kill as many Israelis as possible, and a legitimate member of the UN which is trying to protect its citizens. We are thankful to the Albanian government and foreign minister Xhacka for leading a policy that brings balance to the Security Council when dealing in the case of Israel. 

The international community, including the UN, plays an important role in bringing a solution to our region, but as long as one side sees the only solution as eliminating the state of Israel, I don't see a solution. If anyone had a doubt – here's my message to them: Israel was established 75 years ago – and it is here to stay!