Inxhi Brisku
The Persecution of Jews in the Albanian Territories During the Italian Occupation, 1939-1943
2023 | Full access
This thesis examines the Italian occupiers’ actions towards Jews in Albania during the tumultuous years of 1939-1943, under Fascist rule. It delves into the implementation of Racial Laws in Albania by Fascist Italy, exploring their impact on the local Jewish community and refugees seeking sanctuary. The study analyzes the Italian authorities’ treatment of different Jewish groups, categorizing their experiences based on origin and arrival time.
Distinctive treatment emerges between long-standing residents and newcomers, with varying degrees of surveillance, curtailed rights, internment, and deportation. The Italian occupation of Kosovo and annexed territories post-1941 introduced further complexities, intensifying persecution, and collaboration dynamics.
Crucially, this research dissects the nuances of collaboration between local administrations, populations, and the Italian authorities, exploring motivations shaped by nationalism, anti-communism, and propagandized myths. It challenges prevailing narratives by shedding light on the Italian occupiers’ role in Jewish persecution and the local collaborators, enriching the understanding of Holocaust history in Albania.
The central research question scrutinizes the Italian authorities’ attitude towards Jews in occupied Albania, investigating disparities in treatment among various Jewish groups and role played by local government and population. Methodologically, this study relies on Albanian archival sources, trying to reconstruct historical events and critically analyzing primary documents.
By contributing a nuanced understanding of the Italian occupation’s impact on the Jewish community and challenging historical narratives, this thesis offers a comprehensive exploration of a lesser-explored facet of Holocaust history in Albania and tries to challenge the mainstream historical narrative in the country.
Supervisor:
Prof. Stefan Ihrig