Exclusive Interview for Argumentum. al with H.E. Sami Mhanna, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Albania
By Marjana Doda
Editor in Chief
As the Israel-Gaza conflict enters its 16th month, marked by immense suffering and loss, Argumentum.al conducted an exclusive interview with His Excellency Sami Mhanna, the newly appointed Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Albania.
“It is deeply disturbing that, even in the 21st century, Palestine remains under occupation. The international community, including the United Nations, has witnessed the horrific acts committed in Gaza. Yet, no effective or serious action has been taken to hold Israel accountable or to halt this ongoing genocide. Tragically, the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people continues unabated before the eyes of the world,” stated Ambassador Mhanna.
Recently appointed and the youngest ambassador in his government, the Ambassador expressed gratitude for Albania’s longstanding support for Palestine, dating back to its recognition of Palestinian statehood in 1988. He praised President Bajram Begaj for his commitment to peace and the two-state solution, and for fostering a welcoming environment for deeper diplomatic cooperation.
The Ambassador emphasized his diplomatic priorities, which include enhancing political and cultural ties, increasing educational and youth engagement, and advancing public diplomacy. He underscored his role in raising awareness about the Palestinian struggle, particularly in the face of what he described as an ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Describing the situation in Gaza as “beyond comprehension,” the Ambassador highlighted catastrophic conditions: over 58,000 Palestinian civilians killed, massive displacement, widespread destruction, and the use of banned weapons such as white phosphorus. He accused Israel of committing systematic violations of international law and condemned the lack of effective response from the international community, especially the United Nations.
While condemning civilian casualties on all sides, the Ambassador stressed that diplomacy—not violence—is the only path forward. He called on global powers, especially the United States, to play a more balanced and responsible role in advancing peace, expressing skepticism toward U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent ceasefire claims.
Toward a Political Solution
The Ambassador reiterated Palestine’s core demands: an immediate ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the release of prisoners, and the initiation of a genuine political process grounded in international law. He called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“Our people deserve to live in peace and dignity,” he said. “The time has come for the world to act—not just speak—for a just and lasting solution.”
The Ambassador praised Albania for its historical support of a two-state solution and called on the government to take a clearer, firmer stance against Israeli occupation and settlement expansion.
He also acknowledged the growing grassroots solidarity in Albania and around the world.
“I’ve seen protests in Tirana, in Vlora, and across Europe. These are acts of moral courage that raise awareness and challenge political complacency,” he said, adding that such demonstrations, while powerful, must be matched by concrete political action—especially by global powers like the United States.
A Message to the International Community
Calling the situation in Gaza a humanitarian catastrophe, the Ambassador appealed to the United Nations, the European Union, and world leaders to act decisively to stop the violence and prevent further atrocities.
“We do not ask for miracles. We ask for what every nation deserves—freedom, dignity, and justice,” he said. “The international community must pressure Israel to end the occupation and stop this war. Enough is enough.”
Reaffirming Palestine’s commitment to peace, the Ambassador called for a credible political process leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“Diplomacy, not war, is the path to peace. But peace must be built on truth, accountability, and the right of people to live in freedom,” emphasized Ambassador Mhanna in the following interview:
Marjana DODA: Mr. Ambassador, you have just recently submitted your credentials to the President of the Republic of Albania. How do you assess this moment, and how do you consider the relations between Palestine and Albania?
H.E.Sami MHANNA: It is such an honor and a privilege to represent my country as an Ambassador of Palestine to the Republic of Albania, both have a strong relationship since the recognition of the state of Palestine in 1988. Albania was among the countries who believed in our absolute right to have our sovereignty and establish our state based on the International law, The great support i receive from the population leaves me speechless, where i go, i see that people here knows a lot of our cause, and knows how much we struggle from the 77 years occupation.
As far as i remember, I have had many special moments in my life, The day i graduated, the day i was appointed as Ambassador, and the day when i gave my credentials to The President of Republic of Albania Mr. Bajram Begaj, It was my first appointment as an Ambassador, not only, but the youngest one in my current government, It was a special moment to me meeting with the president Mr Begaj, He is an modest and dignified man, understandable and very wise, He has an wide knowledge and informative about the situation in the middle east especially the conflict in Palestine, He focused on establishing peace and two state solution based on international law, he has been kind to give me the opportunity to work more deeper with the institutions in Albania to enhance our relations in a various field. I felt so welcomed to Albania, and that has given me a positive feeling.
-As the new Ambassador of Palestine to Albania, what are your main priorities during your tenure? What specific areas of cooperation do you intend to focus on, and how do you plan to strengthen political, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Palestine and Albania?
Our main focus as the Government of Palestine is to raise awareness about our ongoing struggle.
For nearly 16 months, our people have been facing a genocide. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost, many of them women and children.
As an Ambassador, my duty is to speak the tragic truth and share the struggle of my people, We do this through public lectures, presentation to the students, cultural events, and dialogue.
My primary focus is on Political diplomacy, and cultural and public diplomacy and strengthening bilateral relations We must show the world the life of our people matter. We are a nation with a deep heritage and not just cause, and through culture, education, and dialogue, we aim to make that message clear and compelling.
The diplomatic relations between the State of Palestine and the Republic of Albania are very good. We continue to strengthen them through mutual respect, political consultations between foreign ministries, signing bilateral agreements, and encouraging in cooperation agreements between cities, universities and chambers of commerce, engaging in Public diplomacy.
-The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has entered a critical phase following the attack of October 7 and the harsh reaction of Israel. Gaza is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, according to many international organizations. What is the current situation on the ground for Palestinian civilians?
The current situation in Palestine is beyond comprehension.
We remain under a brutal occupation for 77 years, our people are enduring the worst forms of suffering imaginable. In Gaza, over 2.2 million civilians are at risk of forced displacement and are living under constant threat. We deeply appreciate the significant steps that was taken by Egypt and Jordan in rejecting the forced displacement of the Gazans, such a step is unacceptable and represent a clear violation of international law and humanitarian rights.
Even in the West Bank, our people are facing continuous attacks by settlers, the arrest of children, and restrictions on their basic rights, including the freedom to pray.
Israel continues to confiscate lands, expand their illegal settlements, and violation against Palestinian civilians. The entire situation in the West Bank is unstable and deeply disturbing.!
Since the 7th of October, More than 58.000 Palestinian civilians has been killed, more than 50.000 children have been orphaned, and over 120,000 civilians have suffered amputations due to relentless attacks.
The Israeli military has used internationally banned weapons, including white phosphorus, a substance that burns indiscriminately and leaves devastating injuries.
Israel have deliberately targeted and destroyed schools, hospitals, residential buildings, and even places of worship both churches and mosques. To make things worse, they have imposed a complete blockade, preventing the entry of life saving medical equipment, food, water, and shelter.
These are not isolated incidents; they are systematic violations of international law and basic humanitarian principles.
It is deeply troubling that in the 21st century, Palestine remains under occupation.
The world, including the United Nations has seen the atrocities committed in Gaza. And Yet, no real or serious measures have been taken to hold Israel accountable or to stop the genocide.
Tragically, the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people continues before the eyes of the international community.
-Mr. Ambassador, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza resulting in a staggering death toll nearing 60,000, many of them women, children, and the elderly, how do you evaluate the role of the United Nations in this crisis? Do you believe the UN has failed in its core mission to maintain peace and protect civilians?
I believe that the events of October 7th were a reaction by Hamas to the ongoing and escalating pressure imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people, both in the West Bank and Gaza.
The continuous arrests, killings, and collective punishment of civilians have pushed the situation to a breaking point, ultimately leading Hamas to take the actions they did.
That said, I want to be absolutely clear: I do not support the killing of civilians, whether Israeli or Palestinian, women or children.
Such acts are inhumane and unacceptable. Violence against innocent people, regardless of who commits it, must always be condemned.
I believe that Hamas acted unwisely. The consequences have been devastating. Gaza has been almost completely destroyed—it is now unrecognizable, uninhabitable, and toxically unsafe. This city, once among the most beautiful in Palestine, now lies in ruins.
I personally believe in diplomacy and political dialogue.
These are the most powerful tools that we have for building peace, finding solutions, and ending the occupation. This is precisely why Israel consistently avoids meaningful political engagement and instead continues to rely on military force supported unconditionally by the United States against a largely unarmed civilian population.
The dynamics of the world are changing.
We must begin to think seriously about the future of our children: to secure for them the right to live in peace, to dream, to grow, and to thrive.
It is time to end the occupation and build the foundations for our independent Palestinian state.
-President Trump has recently promised a ceasefire in Gaza and claimed that peace in the Middle East could be achieved within weeks. How do you assess such statements within the broader geopolitical context? Given the complex web of regional and international interests from U.S. influence to shifting alliances in the Middle East, do you view these initiatives as credible and potentially effective, or simply political rhetoric aimed at short-term gains?
From the very beginning, the political objectives of President Trump’s administration reflected unwavering support for the Government of Israel.
The administration consistently provided Israel with comprehensive support, politically and militarily.. including the provision of advanced weapons and military equipment. This support has in effect, enabled Israel to continue its operations against Palestinian civilians in both Gaza and the West Bank.
We had sincerely hoped that the United States would adopt a constructive and responsible role in promoting peace and stability in the region, particularly in advancing resolution for the Palestinian people. We expected that the Trump administration might use its influence to place real pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government to halt its discriminatory policies and its continued violations of international law and basic human rights.
Instead, what we are witnessing is a clear double standard and a blatant disregard for Palestinian rights.
There are reports that President Trump is even considering granting Prime Minister Netanyahu immunity or a pardon for his actions, thereby shielding him from accountability and potential prosecution.
A cease fire at this moment is absolutely essential, as the genocide against our people in Gaza gets worse every minute, the number of civilian casualties continues to rise, the humanitarian situation is catastrophic.
-Your Excellency, what are the main demands of Palestine in this conflict? Should the focus be on securing recognition of an independent state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, or are there other priorities that must be addressed to reach a lasting solution? In your opinion, how can this conflict be resolved, and what should be the immediate priorities moving forward?
The priority of the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, is to bring an end to the war against our people and to move toward a new phase, one that ensures Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and initiates a comprehensive political process grounded in international legitimacy and the two-state solution.
Our immediate focus remains on halting this brutal aggression against the Palestinian people, securing the release of hostages and our prisoners , and then proceeding toward a political horizon. This next phase must include Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and the revival of a serious and credible political process—one anchored in international law and culminating in the realization of the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine.
From my perspective, the most effective and just resolution lies in a political path through diplomacy and meaningful negotiations, aimed at restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with international laws, UN resolutions, and universally accepted principles.
Violence, in any form, cannot be the path to achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace. It is imperative that the Israeli government abandon its current policies of ethnic cleansing and settlement expansion, and instead demonstrate the political will and courage required to pursue solutions that are fair, sustainable, and acceptable to all parties.
-There is often uncertainty about the political structure of Palestine. How is Gaza governed, and what is the official position of the Palestinian Authority towards the actors involved in the conflict?
The Palestinian Authority is a legitimate authority that must assume governance over the Gaza Strip, once the war comes to an end.
It is essential to reaffirm that no other entity will be acceptable as the governing authority in Gaza apart from the legitimate Palestinian leadership and the Government of the State of Palestine.
Any proposals or attempts to separate Gaza from the occupied West Bank must be firmly and categorically rejected. Gaza and the West Bank are integral parts of the future State of Palestine, and any plan that seeks to undermine this unity undermines the prospects for a just and lasting peace.
-What are your expectations from the government of Albania, particularly in light of its public support for a two-state solution as the foundation for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
We believe that the Albanian government and its people hold firm values in justice, freedom, and respect for human rights. Albania, as a country with its own history of resilience, understands well what it means to stand on the side of human principles.
However, we also believe that taking a clear and unequivocal stance against the Israeli occupation and the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements is necessary—not only as a matter of solidarity with the Palestinian people, but also as a stand for international law and universal justice.
The implementation of United Nations resolutions related to the Palestinian cause must be a priority, in accordance with international law and the shared principles of justice and human rights. Doing so will help create the conditions for a faster and more credible path toward peace, grounded in the two-state solution.
We firmly believe that true and lasting peace can only be built on the foundation of justice and principle that Albania has long embodied, and which continues to guide the aspirations of all people seeking freedom and dignity.
– Albanian citizens have organized protests in Tirana condemning the violence in Gaza and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Similar demonstrations have taken place worldwide, with people calling for an immediate end to the attacks and urging the international community to intervene. How do you evaluate the global public response, including that of Albania, and do you think grassroots solidarity movements can play a significant role in bringing an end to the war in Gaza?
Yes, I have witnessed many peaceful demonstrations here in Albania and across several Western European countries, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
This is both a positive and deeply humane stance, an expression of empathy and moral responsibility in the face of the daily violence and near-genocidal conditions endured by the Palestinian people.
I strongly believe that peaceful acts of solidarity can influence public opinion and, in turn, place pressure on governments to reevaluate their political positions.
Such demonstrations can contribute to holding the occupying power accountable and to increasing recognition of the suffering of our people.
They also play a vital role in raising public awareness, helping to share an accurate, human image of what is happening in Palestine with the wider world.
In Albania in particular, I have seen this spirit of solidarity firsthand. Many Albanians are well-informed about the injustices being committed in Gaza and the West Bank, and they are not silent. Since my arrival, I have visited several cities, including Vlora and Durrës, and I have met countless individuals who have expressed their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
However, peaceful demonstrations alone are not enough to stop the war or end the occupation.
While such actions are powerful on a societal level, the powerful change remain in the hands of powerful states. First and foremost, the United States. The U.S. holds significant influence and has the capacity to pressure Israel to halt its aggression and engage in a serious process toward a just political solution. Without such international political will, the suffering continues, and the voices of millions remain unheard.
-Finally, what is your message to the international community and global institutions such as the UN and the EU? What urgent actions are needed to address the humanitarian catastrophe and move towards a just, lasting peace?
We as the Palestinian people, are a nation that believes in peace.
We seek to live in peace and dignity, and to have our freedom.
We have lost countless innocent lives. What is happening is a humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel has no right to continue this brutality. Its policies have become clear, and the truth can no longer be ignored.
We demand international protection for our children, and accountability for the crimes committed against our people.
We call upon the international community and global organizations to put real pressure on Israel to stop the starvation, and to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Enough is enough!
We are not asking for miracles, we are demanding our legitimate rights which is to end the occupation, and to establish our independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
We deserve to live in dignity like other nations.
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