Kosovars and Jews Share History–and Hope
by Enver Hoxhaj
While much of the world would rather forget, one country commemorates the Holocaust regularly.
That country? One of the world’s newest nations--the predominantly Muslim multi-ethnic democracy of Kosovo.
The reasons are at the heart of our heritage, dating from a decade-and-a-half ago to our history of rescuing Jews during World War II and living alongside them for centuries.
Fifteen years ago, the United States and its NATO allies protected the people of Kosovo against further ethnic cleansing that had already forced at least 400,000 people from their homes. Beginning on March 23, 1999, the NATO air campaign made it possible for Kosovo to emerge eventually as an independent nation in 2008 and to reach an agreement aimed at normalizing relations with Serbia in 2013.
During difficult times, predominantly Muslim Kosovo found allies among the...