Israelization of Albania
| Part of a series on |
| Antisemitism |
|---|
 |
 Category |
The Israelization of Albania (Albanian: Izraelizimi i Shqipërisë) is an antisemitic conspiracy theory originating in Albania. The theory alleges that organizations or individuals affiliated with the Zionist movement are seeking to establish a Jewish state in Albania, and that resorts in Sazan, Zvërnec, Rrjoll and elsewhere are being created to establish Jewish settlements.[1]
The theory has been promoted by prominent Albanian conspiracy theorists such as Alfred Cako, Zaçe Islami, and Altin Goxhaj.[2]
History and background
[edit]In 1935, a British Zionist journalist named Leo Elton visited Albania. Elton was impressed by the country's religious tolerance, lack of antisemitism and fertile land. Due to these factors he proposed the creation of a Jewish state in Albania, but ultimately this proposal never materialized.[3]
Sazan Island Resort
[edit]The Sazan Island Resort is a highly controversial, proposed €1.4 billion luxury eco-resort development on Sazan Island, Albania. Spearheaded by Jared Kushner's investment firm, Affinity Partners, alongside his wife Ivanka Trump, the mega-project aims to transform a decommissioned Cold War communist military base into a high-end tourist destination featuring luxury villas, hotels, and a marina.[4][5]
The proposal has caused significant resistance and opposition in Albania, escalating into large anti-government protests, known as the Flamingo Revolution. While starting as a movement against the construction of the resort, the movement has evolved into protests against the Albanian political class.[6]
Conspiracy theory
[edit]On February 2026 in E Diell, prominent conspiracy theorist and publisher Alfred Cako made comments regarding the visit of PM Edi Rama in Israel, among other topics, where he said:
Cako: "Now after their scheme to rebuld Khazaria in case they [Israel] lost the war in Iran failed, they have initiated scenario No. 2, which is to send them [the Jews] to Cyprus and Albania. But one can't trick the Greeks easily, and when they came in their ports during the Two Week war with Iran the Greek Cypriots came and told them: "You have no business here in Cyprus", and kicked them out. Now seeing that the Albanians would likely not do anything in case they settled here-"
Edi Manushi(show host): "Who are you talking about? Who will settle here?"
Cako: "Here in our lands."
Edi Manushi(show host): "Who though? Who are you talking about? The Jews?"
Cako: "Yeah! Who else? Now, they're seeking to create a new Khazaria in Albania. This has been their dream, and in '35 they sent people here to study the terrain so that Myzeqe could become a Jewish state. And Rama, who has no compassion for Albanians and kicked them out in collaboration with the Jews and his Jewish advisors through keeping them with the lowest salaries and pensions in the region, lower than North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, now wants to bring the Jews here. After this visit Albania is in great danger. Even Essad Pasha Toptani who defended Shkodra and is still called a traitor is a hero compared to these politicians."[7]
The theory began to gain attention in May 2026, primarily through social media.[8] A video spread on TikTok with an image showing a fence in Zvërnec with the Albanian flag on one side, and the Israeli flag on the other. This picture was later revealed to be AI-generated.[9] In a speech held in Berat, PM Edi Rama condemned the disinformation and claimed that "...they're [the protesters] falling prey to some pseudo-Muslims spreading the legend that Zvërnec has been sold to Israel". [10]
The theory began to spread even more due to remarks made by Dr. Anna Cohen, a Jewish-Albanian dentist. In an interview, Cohen claimed that in 1492, Vlora had a 90% Jewish population and a 10% Albanian population.[11] This statement drew significant backlash from many Albanians.
On April 2026, former CIA agent and whistleblower John Kiriakou stated that "Israelis are buying up land in Albania, Greece and Cyprus", and that "this was a plan to create a safe haven if things got worse".[12] On August 2026 false claims that Edi Rama would give citizenship to 100 thousand Israelis emerged. [13]
Social media users falsely claimed that the host of an Airbnb in Vlorë discovered that his guests were IDF soldiers and that he evicted them from the apartment, and that the group of tourists set fire to the apartment subsequently. [14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Old narratives, new claims: How the theory of the "Israelization" of Albania was revived". hibrid.info.
- ↑ ""E tërhoqën zvarrë para syve të policisë"/ Tensione në protestën kundër projektit në Zvërnec, reagojnë banorët dhe Avokati Altin Goxhaj". Fax News.
- ↑ "What if Albania Had Become the Jewish State?". Haaretz.
- ↑ "What is 'Kushner Island' and why are Albanians protesting about it?". Euronews.
- ↑ "Albania's sole island stands between isolation and luxury development". Reuters Connect.
- ↑ "The Flamingo Revolution: When a Fight for Nature Became a Fight for Democracy". Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
- ↑ "Cako debat të ashpër në Rrethi Katror me Bledin & Albatros: Rama–Izrael, prapaskena që s'po tregohet". Top Channel Albania (Official Youtube Channel).
- ↑ "Amid widespread protests, Albanian island project also sparks flood of false claims". Euronews.
- ↑ "E gjeneruar kjo tabele me flamurin izraelit në "kufirin" e Zvërnecit". Faktoje.al.
- ↑ "Rama reagon për protestën në Tiranë: Gënjehen nga disa pseudo-muslimanë!". Lapsi.al.
- ↑ "Open Letter to Dr. Anna Cohen". The Times of Israel.
- ↑ "Lufta në Lindjen e Mesme 'frikëson' izrealitët/ Ish-agjenti i CIA-s: Izraelitët po blejnë pasuri të paluajtshme në Shqipëri, Greqi dhe Qipro, në rast se gjërat përkeqësohen/". Dosja.al.
- ↑ "Shqipëria nuk ka një plan për dhënien e shtetësisë 100 mijë izraelitëve". Faktoje.al.
- ↑ "'Ushtarët izraelitë dogjën pallatin'/ Si u përdor zjarri në Vlorë për propagandë anti-izraelite, historia nisi nga një profil satirik". Shqiptarja.com.