A representative from the Albanian Eurovision delegation said a sentence that every Israeli must read: "I hope Israel wins and sticks it in the eye of all the antisemites."
There are moments when you read something and cannot believe it is real.
While all of Europe is angry at Israel, while countries threaten to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates, while anti Israel protesters burn blue and white flags in every capital from Madrid to Amsterdam, and while Spain has become the most antisemitic country in Europe, a representative from the Albanian Eurovision delegation comes along and says it. Openly.
"I hope Israel wins Eurovision and sticks it in the eye of all the antisemites."
Read it again. Albania. A small Muslim country in the Balkans. It tells Israel "We want you to win." It tells all of Europe "You are wrong." It tells the antisemites "We are not with you."
And there is a historical context that is important to understand. Because Albania is the only country in Europe that after the Holocaust had more Jews than before it. Read the numbers. On the eve of World War II there were 200 Jews in Albania. At the end of the war there were almost 2000. Because they saved us. Village after village. Family after family.
Albanians hid Jews in their homes under the nose of the Nazis. They risked their lives. The lives of their children. Without asking for anything in return. Because Albanians have a moral code called Besa, to protect the guest even at the cost of your life. And that is what they did for us.
And now, 80 years later, when all of Europe is trying to extort us and isolate us and disqualify us, Albanians come and say again, "We are with you." Without apologizing. Without calculating what they might lose. Without political considerations.
This is Israel winning when countries like these stand with us. And this is the reason that despite all the pain, despite all the boycotts, despite all the hatred, we are not alone. There are many more Albanians in the world. People who know the truth. People who do not surrender to the shouting voices. People who remember who is righteous and who is not.
So dear Albania. We see you. We remember our history together. And know that if Israel truly wins Eurovision this year, half of its flag will come out of your words.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
And to everyone trying to boycott us, push us back, isolate us, did you hear Albania? Listen well. Because this is what a true compass looks like.
Am Yisrael Chai. And there are those who love us. Even in the darkest nights.
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