Israel is not happy that Albania has voted in favor of a resolution condemning U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel�s capital, which was presented at the UN General Assembly in December last year, but in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News the Israeli Ambassador to Tirana, Boaz Rodkin underlined that he did not think that it had materially changed the tremendous relations between Albania and Israel.
"It is being talked about through diplomatic channels between our countries. We always want the democratic and like-minded members of the international community to vote with us. Naturally, we are not happy when some do not," said the Ambassador, who added that President Trump�s declaration that the United States formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel�s capital city is an acknowledgement of historical fact and current reality.
In a comment on the perspective of the dialogue for peace the Ambassador thought that it will take more time. "It will also take leadership, especially by the moderate forces in the Arab and Muslim world � as have emerged in Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf and elsewhere � wise and brave enough to introduce an alternative narrative to their people, pushing back against the fantasists and the fanatics," said the Israeli Ambassador to Albania in the interview which follows:

- How do Israeli people feel after the vote at the UN General Assembly?
- The vast majority of the Israeli public is dismayed by the overwhelming support of UN Member States for the General Assembly resolution condemning U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel�s capital. The recent focus on the Jerusalem issue is a telling reminder that Israel is treated according to a totally different standard than other countries in the international system.
Of course, Israel deserves attention and scrutiny as does every other nation. But it also merits equal treatment � nothing more, nothing less.
But many in Israel are asking, "Why should Israel alone be denied the right to determine its capital?" The connection between Jerusalem and the Jewish people is more than 3,000 years old; There has always been a national consensus in Israel on the status of Jerusalem. Since the reunification of the city in 1967, all Israeli Governments have declared their policy that united Jerusalem, Israel's eternal capital is one indivisible city under Israeli sovereignty and that free access to holy places and freedom of worship will continue to be guaranteed to members of all faiths.
Israel, the sole liberal democracy in the Middle East is treated in the UN in this blatantly biased manner due to an automatic majority against it. Israel is the only country annually targeted by at least 20 UN General Assembly resolutions and countless measures in other UN bodies, such as the Human Rights Council.
Indeed, astonishingly, every year, Israel is on the receiving end of more such efforts than the other 192 UN member states combined. No one can seriously argue that this is remotely warranted, but it�s a reality because in every UN body except the Security Council, where each of the five permanent members has a veto, it�s all about majority voting.

- Given a large number of countries voting against it, how would you consider the position of the US?
- President Trump�s declaration that the United States formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel�s capital city is an acknowledgement of historical fact and current reality.
As Israel�s closest ally, as the principal facilitator of Arab-Israeli peacemaking, and as the pre- eminent global leader, the US initiative in taking this step is of critical significance.
Bold actions can prompt new thinking and stimulate initiatives to advance peace. Forty years ago, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat flew to Israel. He became the first Arab head of state to visit and he addressed the Knesset (parliament) in Israel�s capital of Jerusalem, even before formal peace negotiations began.
Recognition of the city that Israel has always deemed its capital is long overdue. The prime minister�s office, the Supreme Court, the Knesset, and nearly all Israeli government offices have been situated in Jerusalem since Israel declared its independence nearly 70 years ago.
Heads of state and other top officials from countries around the world visit Jerusalem regularly to engage with Israel�s leadership.
Longstanding resistance to recognising Jerusalem as Israel�s capital has encouraged many U.N member states, led by Arab and Muslim nations, to regularly adopt resolutions that ignore historical facts and deny any Jewish link to Jerusalem.
But the ties are authentic and deep. For millennia, Jerusalem has been uniquely connected to Judaism and the Jewish people, and thus it was only natural that it would become the capital of Israel.

- Do you think that the recent move of the US and the result of the UN vote would be a setback to Israeli-Palestinian dialogue for peace?
- The status of Jerusalem is unique. Politically and spiritually, Jerusalem was, is and always will be the capital of the Jewish people. Yet, at the same time, it plays a significant role in the religious identity of hundreds of millions of believers in the monotheistic faiths. The Arab world views Jerusalem as one - albeit not the most significant - of their holy places. Furthermore, while almost three-quarters of Jerusalem's citizens are Jewish, many Palestinian Arabs also call the city their home. For these reasons, Israel has agreed to address Jerusalem-related issues in previous rounds of peace negotiations.
Evidently, the dialogue for peace will take more time. It will also take leadership, especially by the moderate forces in the Arab and Muslim world � as have emerged in Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf and elsewhere � wise and brave enough to introduce an alternative narrative to their people, pushing back against the fantasists and the fanatics.
It will be a narrative of acceptance and cooperation, a narrative in which Israel is no longer an imposition in their region or a reminder of their weakness, but a partner in security, stability and development.

- Albania joined the majority of UN member countries supporting the resolution against the US move. Which is your comment on this?
- We would have preferred a different vote to be honest, but I don�t think it materially changes the tremendous relations between Albania and Israel. It is being talked about through diplomatic channels between our countries. We always want the democratic and like-minded members of the international community to vote with us. Naturally, we are not happy when some do not.