The leader of the Together Movement, Arlind Qori, has spoken about the situation in Gaza. In a podcast interview, Qori, the only Albanian politician who talks about what is happening in Palestine, considers Albania's abstention at the UN for the resolution calling for a ceasefire in Palestine shameful. At a time when in Gaza, says Qori, the massacre continues, the sacrifice of innocents, no one will know, the world and humanity are becoming cynical. Albania's vote at the UN would be a vote for dignity.
"While the massacre and extermination of civilians continues in Gaza, Albania abstains. This is shameful. The vote at the UN was a vote for humanity, for life, for dignity – and Albania decided not to give it," Qori said.
He described Benjamin Netanyahu's government as "ultra-extremist, ultra-chauvinist and racist," stressing that it is trying to exterminate an entire people, expel and colonize Palestinian territories in flagrant violation of international law. "The world and humanity are becoming cynical. No one will care about the Palestinians," he added.
Referring to an analysis published by The Guardian, Qori highlighted that 83% of those killed in Gaza are civilians. He also mentioned that organizations such as Amnesty International have described the situation as genocide, while international courts are in the process of reviewing it to officially recognize it as such.
Qori also mentioned an episode from the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, where the latter denied the famine in Gaza, while Trump had refuted the statements, saying that there is evidence to the contrary. "Famine is not faked," Qori emphasized.
He acknowledged that Hamas is a terrorist organization, but stressed that the massacre of a civilian population in the name of the fight against terrorism cannot be justified. “Eradicate a people to eradicate Hamas is a crime against humanity. It is genocide.”
In conclusion, Qori emphasized that Albanians may not have a direct impact on the conflict in the Middle East, but they have the opportunity to take a dignified stand. “A ceasefire is the only step towards releasing hostages, stopping genocide and starting a political process. Every people has the right to a state – including the Palestinians.”
"Palestine has been abandoned by everyone – even by Arab countries. A people is being sacrificed before the eyes of the world and the world is silent," Qori concluded.
