Albanian PM: Ahmadinejad is the new Nazi

He may be a Muslim country's leader, but that doesn't stop him from voicing pro-Israel opinions. Albania's PM Sali Berisha views Iran as biggest threat to world peace, opposes Palestinian statehood bid. 'The world must learn from the Holocaust,' he says

Itamar Eichner

Published: 11.30.11, 23:52 / Israel News

When Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha talks about Israel, one might mistake him for a Zionist leader who could easily fit into the Likud or Yisrael Beiteinu parties. But when these statements are made by a Muslim leading a moderate European Muslim country – they are definitely surprising. The highlight was at the United Nations General Assembly, after the famous clash between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over the Palestinian statehood bid. Religious Tolerance 1st chief rabbi inaugurated in Albania / Ynetnews Rabbi Joel Kaplan's first task will be to import kosher food into southeastern European country. 'This will be the first time in 70 years that there will be a minyan in Albania,' he says Full story When it was Berisha's turn to talk, he openly criticized the Palestinian move. His General Assembly address did not exactly benefit Albania's relations with Muslim countries, especially Iran, but he refused to take it back. "Iran and its leader, (President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, are the new Nazis, and the world must learn from the Holocaust and stop them before it's too late," Berisha says in an interview to Yedioth Ahronoth. "The Holocaust taught the free world's conscience not to let such a scenario repeat itself." When asked if Albania, as a NATO member, will join a military strike against Iran if and when such a decision is made, he immediately replies: "We'll support such a move and join it, just like we supported the operation in Libya. It won't be against the Iranian people, but against the nuclear facilities." Berisha with PM Netanyahu (Photo: Mark Israel Salem) It's no wonder that during his recent visit to Israel, his third, Berisha held meetings with the president, prime minister, Knesset speaker and foreign minister, and was praised for his courageous opinions. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman even informed him of his decision to open an Israeli embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana................... http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4155550,00.html.