Demonstrators rallied in Tirana on Friday to protest Prime Minister Edi Rama’s recent visit to Israel and his pro-Israeli remarks, saying the trip disregarded public support for Palestinians and did not reflect the will of the Albanian people.
The protest, organized by civil society groups under the slogan, "Not in My Name,” took place in front of the parliament building. Participants voiced opposition to Rama’s visit to Israel from Jan. 25 to 27.
Protesters carried banners that read: "Not in My Name”, "You Don’t Shake Hands With Oppression and Barbarism” and "Stop the Bombing of Gaza.”
One of the organizers, Floriar Arapi, said Albanians stand for peace and justice, not genocide or war crimes.
"Prime Minister Rama’s visit to Israel is a great stain of shame for our people,” said Arapi. "Rama has positioned Albania on the dark side of injustice, crimes, and the killing of children and women, as never before in its history. At a time when nearly all countries around the world have distanced themselves from (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and declared they would arrest him if he entered their territory, Rama says he is proud of meeting him.”
