Albanian leader Edi Rama told Euronews that opposition to a proposed real estate project on the country’s southern coast linked to the Trump-Kushner family is being amplified by bots, antisemitic narratives and hostile external forces to fuel tensions in Albania.
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Speaking from Montenegro, where EU leaders met Western Balkans candidate countries on Friday, he said Tirana had come under a coordinated attack from external actors, without specifying who they were, seeking to exploit public discontent.
His comments come as activists and environmental groups continue to protest plans linked to Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, over a planned luxury resort off the Albanian coast.
He added that antisemitic narratives are being promoted by the “enemies of Israel and Albania”, including what he described as false online speculation about a secret deal between Israel and his government to facilitate the displacement of Palestinians.
“There is a narrative that this is about a hidden deal between me and Bibi Netanyahu through Jared Kushner to bring Palestinians to that area, which is a total fantasy,” he said, adding that his country “has a very proud history of saving Jews, of never having antisemitic feelings”, while describing Albanian Muslims as “incredibly tolerant”.
Asked whether protesters’ concerns were legitimate, Rama acknowledged their motives but argued that their “well-meaning” worries were being “weaponised” by hostile actors employing a coordinated online strategy to exploit public sentiment around environmental protection and Albania’s relationship with Israel.
“It’s a lot of bots, it’s a lot of fake profiles, it’s a lot of attacks coming from all over,” Rama said. “I have seen it this week on social media. The way it has happened in other countries, I am now seeing it in my own country.”
Protests have intensified this week, with demonstrators carrying pink flamingo signs in reference to the island’s natural habitat, which they claim could be irreversibly damaged if construction goes ahead.
Despite the unrest, Rama signalled that demonstrations alone would not determine the future of the investment in Albania’s developing tourism sector.
“This will never happen. Not under my watch,” Rama told Euronews.
Rama says no project submitted yet, despite signs of works
Rama also sought to push back against criticism of the development itself, arguing that no final proposal has yet been submitted to Albanian authorities.
“Is there an expression of interest to have a project? Yes. Is there a project? No,” he told Euronews. “The project is being worked on by the investors. We have to see when the project will be presented.”
He added that any proposal would be subject to review and approval procedures before construction could begin. Still, protesters say signs of construction activity, including heavy machinery and excavators, have been spotted on the island since May.
The project has become one of the most closely watched real estate developments in Albania, highlighting growing tensions between the country’s efforts to attract foreign investment and the need to preserve the environment.
Rama has argued that the project could be transformational for Albania as it seeks to establish itself as a tourism hub, in line with broader real estate developments along the Adriatic coast by neighbouring countries, including Croatia and Montenegro.
Environmental organisations insist that major construction works in sensitive coastal areas could threaten protected habitats and irreversibly alter landscapes for the benefit of a select group of investors and foreign capital.
Still, Rama said images circulating online have been exaggerated.
“There are a lot of images that have been spread on social media of projects that are not related to the project, of dying flamingos, of depressed turtles. It doesn’t exist,” he said, insisting the resort remained at an early planning stage.
