Edi Rama awarded Israel’s top civilian honor for support of Jewish people and fight against antisemitism

Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor to Prime Minister Edi Rama during a special ceremony at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem. Rama was joined by his wife, Linda Rama, and a delegation from Albania for the occasion.

Why this is important: The medal is Israel’s highest civilian honor and has previously been awarded to global leaders such as Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Elie Wiesel, Henry Kissinger, and Joe Biden. Rama’s recognition highlights Albania’s consistent support for Israel in a time of crisis and its longstanding tradition of sheltering Jewish people. The event deepens the diplomatic, cultural, and strategic ties between the two countries.

Context: In his remarks, President Herzog praised Rama for his leadership following the October 7 Hamas attacks, calling him a moral voice during a period of global pressure. He noted that Rama showed unwavering support for Israel at a time when the country faced its most devastating assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

President Herzog said the medal honors “those who illuminate the world with exceptional leadership, moral clarity, and democratic values,” adding that Rama’s courageous friendship with the Jewish people and the State of Israel made him a deserving recipient.

Prime Minister Rama said the honor belonged not only to him, but to the Albanian people — Muslims and Christians — who risked their lives to protect Jews during the darkest hour of modern history.

“This extraordinary honor cannot be just for me. I take it on behalf of Albania, on behalf of all Albanians who turned our country into the only one in Europe that ended World War II with more Jews than it started with,” Rama said.

He recalled how Albania never surrendered a single Jew to the Nazis and how this legacy continues to shape national policy today. Rama noted that Albania has passed legislation against antisemitism, introduced Holocaust education into school curricula, and is building two Jewish cultural centers — one in Tirana and one in Vlorë.

“This is not just about the Jews — this is about our humanity,” Rama said, emphasizing that Albania will always remain a second home for the Jewish people.

What else: Rama used the platform to speak firmly about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He repeated Albania’s longstanding support for a two-state solution but stated that peace is impossible with Hamas present.

“There are innocent people still held in the medieval dungeons of Hamas. We support a two-state solution, but there is no solution with Hamas around. Hamas are not a resistance movement — Hamas are the Nazis of the new century. And history has shown that with Nazis, there is no peace and there is no compromise,” Rama said.

Beyond the medal, the visit also marked new developments in bilateral cooperation. Direct flights between Tirana and Tel Aviv, recently launched by Sundor Airlines, are expected to improve people-to-people exchange and tourism. Rama personally welcomed the inaugural group of Israeli travelers, who described the visit as a warm and unforgettable experience.

Additionally, Albania’s University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” signed a five-year partnership agreement with Israel’s Sheba Medical Center — ranked among the top hospitals in the world. The agreement includes advanced medical training, joint research, and oncology treatment for Albanian children with cancer at Sheba’s facilities in Tel Aviv. Israeli experts will also support the modernization of Albanian hospital infrastructure.

President Herzog praised the strengthening of ties between the two countries and emphasized that the partnership between Albania and Israel is built not only on shared interests but also on shared values.

“May the friendship between our nations remain a beacon of goodwill in these dark times,” Herzog said. “It reminds us that courage and integrity are always a choice — and that peace is possible.”