Kosovo Embassy Celebrates 14 Year Independence In Jerusalem (Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 02/17/22

Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 17, 2022 - After more than ten years of quiet relations, on September 4, 2020, the State of Israel and the Republic of Kosovo agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations. However, during the global pandemic, diplomatic relations were only formally established between Israel and Kosovo on February 1, 2020 - not in person, but online. On March 14, 2021, the Republic of Kosovo opened its Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. 

Nearly a year after the establishment of the Embassy and her arrival, in Israel during a pandemic with lockdowns and restrictions, Chargee d"affaires from the Republic of Kossovo Ms. Ines Demiri hosted a celebration in the Kosovo Embassy on the evening of  February 17, 2022. marking 14 years of her country's independence.  With the large blue and yellow Kosovo flag flying outside, the Kosovo Embassy is unique to other international embassies in Jerusalem which are in much more obscure locations, it is located on a major Jerusalem street.

For those who are unfamiliar, the Republic of Kosovo is located in the center of the Balkans, surrounded by mountains and high terrain, Bordered by  Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, Kosovo has a population of under two million and a landmass of just over 4,200 miles. Though there are less than 100 Jews living in Kosovo currently, they are active, according to Demri whose father is head of the Jewish community. 

On February 17, 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. Israel was the 117th country to recognize Kosovo. It has not been officially recognized by the United Nations, with Russia and China, on the UN Security Council to block acceptance. Kosovo is a member of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank.

Kosovo has a long and fascinating history of conquests going back before the Ottoman Empire. However, relations with Israel can be traced to the 15th century. Six families, including Levi, Cohen, and Bahar, fleeing the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal settled in Novobrda. 

Until World War II, the Jewish community supported a yeshiva, 2 synagogues, and of course, over the centuries filled Jewish cemeteries. When the Italians arrived in 1943, the Albanians helped Jews by falsifying documents and providing a transition road to escape.  

However, when the Germans invaded, 258 remaining Jews were sent to Bergen-Belsen where 92 were murdered by the Nazis. Today a Bergen-Belsen memorial plaque has been placed in the location where communists destroyed the last synagogue in 1963. 

Though survivors came back to Kosovo after liberation and the end of the war, in 1948, a sizeable group traveled to live in the newly established State of Israel.

Attending the event were Ambassadors to Israel, including Rumiana Bachvarova from Bulgaria, and other foreign dignitaries such as Maciej Kaczorowski, Counselor and Charge d'affaires. Representing the Israeli government was Minister Matan Kahana, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum. Among the dignitaries was Malcolm Hoenlein who is in Israel for the upcoming Conference of President's meetings next week. International Model and Actress Moran Atias acted as mc of the brief program which began with the national anthems of Israeli and Kosovo.  Special thanks were given to Shimon Sabag, Founder and Director Yad Ezer L'Haver for his assistance.