Albania’s foreign ministry issued a strong condemnation after masked protesters removed and defaced the Israeli embassy flag in Tirana during a wider wave of anti-government demonstrations that has gripped the country for more than three weeks. The ministry called the act “shameful” and said it does not reflect the Albanian public.
In its statement, the ministry said the action was incompatible with the values of respect, coexistence, democracy and European standards, adding that it had “nothing to do” with peaceful protest or free expression. Officials also stressed that Albania remains committed to protecting foreign diplomatic missions and their symbols, in line with the Vienna Convention.
The protests began as an environmental movement against a controversial luxury tourism development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, but they have increasingly taken on an anti-Israel tone. Last week, a planned “Israel Culture Week” in Tirana was disrupted after Israeli flags were briefly displayed and then removed when people threatened to burn them, forcing organizers to cancel parts of the event.
Government figures suggested outside actors may be fueling the unrest, pointing directly at Iran. Albania has had tense relations with Tehran, previously cut diplomatic ties after major cyberattacks, and recently declared Iran a state sponsor of terrorism. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the organizers were pursuing “economic self-sabotage” aimed at harming the summer tourism season, while protesters are demanding his immediate resignation over what they call arrogance and a lack of transparency in coastal development projects. The latest rallies also produced a political break, when MP Mariana Koçko left the ruling Socialist Party and declared herself independent.
