By Ilir Vata
Memorie.al / Albania is one of the only countries occupied by Nazism, which received and sheltered Jews persecuted by the Nazi genocide, but before the smell of war had died down, among the smoke and flames, another despotic regime was born in Albania. Of the 2000 Israelis who took refuge in Albania, most fled to other countries and their own country after the war, but according to official statistics, they remained in our country and until the 1960s, there were 237 Israelis. According to documents found in the files of the former State Security, it turns out that the Israelis who stayed in Albania fled from hell and fell back into hell. The communist regime in Albania began stripping citizens and foreigners who were in our country of every right, political right, freedom of speech, property rights, thus starting nationalization by implementing with coercive force the political police, the State Security, which also fell prey to the Jews who remained in Albania.
Light is shed on this bitter truth by the file found in the archive of documents of the former State Security. In the context of curating the past, AIDSSH has made available to researchers, the secret file of the State Security, for 237 Israelis, who remained in Albania and experienced the dictatorial regime, as well as the Albanians themselves. Persecution, stalking, surveillance, forced collaboration, wiretapping of Israelis in Albania, was a special focus of the regime of the time and was carried out through the State Security.
The methods followed by the State Security were common practices, as well as for other foreigners in Albania, or Albanians themselves, and the goal was to discover enemies of the regime within them and the suspicion of their collaboration with foreign agents. The declassified file, which is in the archive of the Files Authority, has no data on the execution of Jews, only one case is noted when an Israeli was imprisoned, the data is insufficient for identity or where she served her sentence. Did she live or die in prison?! The file compiled by the former State Security, which bears the number 270/2, is titled; “Report on Israelis, Jews, who are residing in our country”. The file notes the storage period, which is designated temporary and bears the date 19.08.1960, in the first file there are 6 sheets and which ended on the date 19.8. 1960, which coincides with the serial number 79.
In 1954, it turns out that 237 Israelis lived in our country
The communist regime had taken care to distribute the Israelis in several districts of the country, mainly in those districts where the State Security had the strictest control. It had also processed all the data on the arrival of the Israelis in Albania, their country of origin and their identities. On the page of the report that bears the signature of the State Security on the Israelis, the Jews in Albania, it is stated that; “from the study that was made of the materials according to the records of 1954, it results that in our country there are 237 Israelis living concentrated in the districts of Vlora, 140, Tirana 83, Saranda 5, Gjirokastër 4, Shkodër 4, Peshkopi 1. Of the total number of people, 68 people have come from other countries, divided as, From Greece 59 people, Yugoslavia 3, Czechoslovakia 3, Austria 2, and Romania 1 in total 68”.
Also in the State Security file in charge of the Israelis in Albania, it results that the Jews have had citizenship, Greek 47 people, Yugoslav 5, and the others have later obtained Albanian citizenship. According to the information in the State Security file, it is said that the defendants were involved in trade and as a result, after liberation they paid tax on their profits, various assets were nationalized, and there was also a nationalization of movable assets. Another attention of the State Security of the communist regime was their profession and political opinion, connections inside and outside the country, conversations between them, daily activities.
The file provides information on their work, stating that from 1954-55, 37 people were engaged in various state jobs, the others were craftsmen, 5 were on courses, and it is not known what the rest were engaged in. The file provides information that; from 1950 to the present (the period of the 1950s) it is not known that there have been any arrests. Referring to the time of the documents, 1950, it is stated that from the ranks of this contingent, that is, of Jews, there are 6 people in accordance with 2/B and 2 B.P. from the ranks of this measure. The information also states that; marriages between in-laws are made between each other, while with Albanians, there are almost no cases. During the German occupation, this contingent was followed foot by foot, with the aim of extermination, and so these Israelis who were in Albania, moved through the Balkan countries, Greece and Yugoslavia.
Also, the file notes their political stance. “From the information we had at that time in our bodies, this mass of Israelis, under the leadership of Isak Kohani in Vlora and Jacques Vituli in Tirana, in the fall of 1950, requested to be recognized as a separate religious sect, later they requested formalities to be repatriated and they requested our government and sent 127 repatriation forms to the Israeli legation in Yugoslavia”. Another concern of the State Security was the connection of the Israelis with America and one of the targets was the American Joint Committee on Distribution Issues, Ioannina Section based in Paris.
In the State Security file, it is stated that; “in 1952, through correspondence, they came into contact with the Israeli legation in Moscow and requested their repatriation. Thus, they wrote to the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs for repatriation and sent this copy to their friends abroad, for repatriation”. Following the information regarding repatriation, in the State Security file, it is stated that; “in 1952, they came into contact with a correspondent with the American society, the Joint, the American Joint Committee for Distribution Issues, the Ioannina Section based in Paris. From this, they received religious materials, food aid, etc. For all of this, they developed regular correspondence and thanked, requested assistance for repatriation and the poor economic situation”.
The concern of the State Security was about the connection of some Israelis who had come into contact with a Bulgarian naval officer. In September 1952, the Internal Affairs Branch in Vlora had information that some Israelis had come into contact with a Bulgarian officer and sailors who were traveling on a Bulgaria-Israel steamer. The Bulgarian captain and marine visited them at their homes in Vlora, while the Israelis gave them letters of recommendation to their people in Israel and Palestine.
Some Israelis living in Vlora, American “spy” arrested in 1950
In the State Security file, there is no other explanation as to who the woman arrested and accused of being an American spy was, where she was imprisoned and what happened to them?! “From the process of the American spy, arrested in 1950, it emerged that, in 1948, some Israelis living in Vlora, whose names are unknown, held an anti-government meeting led by Western agents, where the political situation, the activities of fugitives, and war criminals were discussed at this meeting, and they were given various instructions by her.”
“Some Israelis in Tirana held meetings at the X family”
“From this contingent, there were also various slogans regarding the economic situation of our country and other slogans and comments.” The file states that; “according to the data, Isak Cohen in Vlora held meetings with other Israeli elements, but it is not known what was discussed. Likewise, some Israelis also held meetings in Tirana and held meetings at the X family.” In addition to other details in the Israelis’ file compiled by the former State Security, it is stated that; “From a report by the Intelligence Directorate, dated 23/3/1953, it appears that the Zionist Organization in Austria in 1952 organized the mass preparation of fake foreign passports for the repatriation of Jews from People’s Democratic countries to Israel.”
“To find and visit the grave of an Israeli revolutionary”
Following the surveillance of the Israelis, in the file of the former State Security, it is stated that; “from 17/7/1955, to 28/7/’55, the Israeli chargé d’affaires in Bulgaria, named X, at his request and with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Albania, visited our country. Upon his arrival here, he claims to have raised three issues of the purpose of his visit. To find and visit the grave of an Israeli revolutionary named X, to discuss trade exchanges with our country and was interested in the repatriation of the Israelis”.
Likewise, the State Security continues with the information by saying; “On the issue of X’s burial, he had brought an old book, which said that three centuries ago, a person with this name was exiled to Turkey and had died in a place near Berat. For this, the Israeli, accompanied by X, went to Mount Shëndëlli in Berat, talked to the people about this issue, but was unable to obtain any information, but in a meeting he had with the Head of the local Tekke, we learned that there was a grave near the Tekke, for whom the Bektashis had been a group of exiled Turks and whose leader was a person who had come from Palestine who had been buried with honor by the people. Regarding trade exchange in our country, he met with X and on behalf of our country, presented our products for export to Israel.”
“The diplomat has been agitating and propagandizing for the lives of Israelis”
The State Security was monitoring and keeping under surveillance diplomats and high-ranking officials who came to Albania and had contact with Israelis. “The repatriation of Israelis who are in our country was discussed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vaili Nathanili, but it is not known how the issues were raised. During their stay in our country, they visited the Textile Plant, “Stalin”, “Nako Spiro”, the oil refinery in Cërrik, the Sukthi Farm, the Maminas Cooperative, the Museum of the National Liberation War, the Ethnographic Museum, the Science Museum, the Film Studio, the National Library, and visited Durrës, Elbasan and Krujë”.
The file states that; “during the visit to Tirana, they met with French, Italian and Yugoslav diplomats. On 20/7/1955, the Israeli representative who came from Bulgaria asked to meet with the Vituli family, an Israeli who lived in Tirana, as a very old Israeli family”. The meeting took place at the “Dajti” hotel and, according to the State Security, he was asked about the situation of the Israelis in Tirana, and the circumstances of how they are treated by the government. Also, the Israeli charge d’affaires in Bulgaria asked Jacques if the Israelis were of Jewish descent, were there any among them who had married Albanians or vice versa. At the same time, this diplomat agitated and propagated for Israeli life”.
Once “X”, having just separated from the diplomat who had come to our country, goes to meetings with other Israelis living in Tirana, they hold a meeting with 10 people, where they also add issues between Jacques and the Israeli diplomat. The file states that; “since 1955 and until today, no work has been done on this contingent at all. Our bodies, both in the center and in the periphery, do not have accurate records on the number of this mass, the places where they are concentrated, whether there are any escapees, prisoners and repatriated among them. Since there is no accurate record, it is not known about the hostile activity that may be currently taking place”. At the end of the file, it is suggested that; “they should be identified and investigated, because according to them, since Jews move from one country to another, there may be capitalist intelligence agents among them”, and they propose their identification, writes at the end of the document the Head of Sector 3, Chapter I, H. Vila.
In the State Security file, there is also the file of Jews in Tirana!
In the data classification, it is stated that; “Zh.V., was in prison, where there is currently no archived material in branch 4”. Also, data is given for a person who is J.R.J, where details are given, Date, 1922, “born in Vlora, united technical schools, X. He is a contingent; he was convicted as an enemy, affected by the reform of the popular government”. Another name is B.B., who has corresponded with people in Israel, but whose correspondence has been forbidden”. Also another name with the initials, K.J. and H.V., who has been registered as a contingent because he had a brother in prison. Then the list of Jews is noted. E.D, 1916, SH., 1928, R.SH., 1930, S.M., 1927, N.K., 1909, E.I., 1895, E.R., 1924, N.E., 1926, Z.K., 1919, J.S., 1908, K.B., 1883, A.B., 1895, R.A., Yakuel, 1915, S.I., 1926, I.O., 1907, V.R., 1929”.
Also, in a report dated 18.8 1970, a report is given on the Israelis in Albania, according to data, their political and social opinion and activity. Data is given on the Israeli Ilia Matathia, a dentist at the Combine, who has two children, and his wife works at the “Migjeni” cooperative, “son D.R. Zino Matathi, a surgeon in Berat and the youngest son in NSHRAK Tirana, a man of political indifference. Robert Zhvarc, married to a Christian woman, worked in tourism, now it is not known where he works and what his position is”.
“Another name is Avram Mimiko, Cami who works at N.I.SH., Teaching Materials, while his brother, an auditor at the Ministry of Agriculture, his wife at the Folklore Institute, maintains a good attitude. Cef Jakoel, married to Dr. Koleka’s sister, with two children, works at the Pharmacy Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture. He is known as a talker, we know nothing about his political stance. Loni Jakoel married, sister, ZH.V., works in the Trade bodies, the Executive Committee, has people in Greece and America”.
The American Intelligence that seeks to discredit our country
Also in a report bearing No. 3162, dated 5.7.1970, regarding the state of money, it is said that letters and dollars have been sent from America, and they think that this hand is the American Intelligence that seeks to discredit our country. According to the State Security, this money is used to compromise Israelis in Albania and to use them as a contingent to exploit for their interests. Also, in a letter sent to the Ministry of Interior by the State Security, data is provided on Israelis in Tirana, which correspond to 33 people, two of them contingent.
In a State Security letter, extracted from the notes brought by the Vlora Branch and the Saranda Internal Affairs Branch, with letter No. 1806 dated 8.10. 1971, it is stated that; “during the conversation with Kristo Zerva on 20/8/1969, among other things, they told us that he had spoken with Pavllo Dushan, deputy technician at the Ministry of Agriculture and Zekino Matathan, head of account at NBSH, Sukth, who among other things told him, Zekino was very interested in the Greek border, asking about the nearby strip of the border”.
Also, in the State Security report, suggestions are given for their control and it is signed by Kadri Ismailati. In another note dated 30.8.1968, in a letter from the Fier Internal Affairs Branch, it is stated that; “Recently, this Branch has arrested ZH.V., a Jew, whose family and relatives live in Tirana. Also, information is provided about the brother who lives in Tirana, with the initials H.V., who worked at NTSHA, the sister with the initials R.J., and her husband Leon Jakuel who worked at NTSHUS Tirana, the other sister I.ZH., married to “X”, a seamstress and who requested control measures against all three”. The letter was signed by the head of the Internal Affairs Branch, Muço Saliu, and the information was provided by the operative worker, Fuat Pushaj.
In a letter from the file archive, it is stated that; “The Director of Internal Affairs, Dashamir Bime, has revealed a decision stating that the file of Jews living in Tirana was opened in 1970, where it is said that they were verified and had suspicious connections abroad in several reports, “Energjiku”, “Rini e lagjes”, of 1972, since that time. Based on the above, based on the operational evidence regulation No. 81-41 dated 2.5.1985, it was decided that the archive of Jews in Tirana, be archived for research values”, signed by the Deputy, Head of the K. Intelligence Branch, Gëzim Bejko.
Another file from 1961, dated December 5, has data on Jews in Albania. In a letter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Security Directorate, first branch, third section, it is stated that; “From the studies conducted and the analysis of the materials, it results that by 1955, there were a number of 237 people. Based on these materials, a hostile activity is exposed from the ranks of this contingent and these elements have traveled to many countries, both before and during World War II, where agents from American intelligence may have been recruited from their ranks, in order to create and place evidence.
According to the report, there are 92 Israelis throughout our country, excluding Tirana and Durrës. In Vlora 78 people, of these 3 in processing. In Shkodër 6 people. In Saranda, 1. Gjirokastër 5, Fier and Krujë 1 person. Regarding the hostile activity, it results that it is within the framework of agitation and propaganda, also in the report, the Head of the Section, First Captain, Hariz Hila, gives orders to observe and monitor the activities of Jews in Albania.
The State Security has also compiled a file bearing No. 166/3, dated 25/3/1955. “Department 3011 provides information on the Zionist Organization in Austria in the fall of 1952, which states that it has organized the mass preparation of fake foreign passports for Jewish immigrants from the countries of the People’s Democracy in Israel. It is also informed that the passports are issued illegally and at a price of 3 thousand dollars. These fake foreign passports, prepared according to the model of the passport that the Czechoslovak consulate has given to a Czechoslovak Jew living in Romania since 1952, his name is unknown”…etc., the document bears the name of the Commander of Department 2001. Lieutenant Colonel Zoi Themeli, dated 23/3/1955.
Following the compilation of the files of Jews in Albania, another report of the data of Israelis in our country is found. The information comes from the Directorate of State Security, Second Branch, which is classified as highly secret and is dated 7/6/1955. The report states that; “Israelis in our country have come before and after the occupation and have concentrated in Vlora, Durrës and Tirana. Until 1954, from the materials of the time, it turned out that there were 237 Jews, of these in Vlora, 140, Tirana 83, Gjirokastër 9, Shkodër 4, Dibër 1. There are also statistics on the arrival of Jews in Albania from Greece 59 people, Yugoslavia 3, Czechoslovakia 3, and Australia 2, Romania 1”.
State Security Methods to Use Israelis
State Security methods were initially aimed at making Israelis their collaborators, and there were several cases of this collaboration. Then came the methods of persecution, threats, punishment, and finally isolation, beatings, and forms of torture, which even the last Israelis who survived Nazism fell victim to. Memorie.al
