Profaning Israel's flag in Albania condemned

Local media published images showing that a girl removed the Israeli flag posted at the Israeli Embassy in Tirana and tore it apart during the time when numerous protesters were marching on the streets of Albania's capital.

Protests are continuing on the 22nd day against building a resort in Zrinec, and protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama's government.

“Such actions have nothing to do with freedom of expression, the legitimate right to peaceful protest or with our democratic values and European standards that we have built and are strengthening daily. They are manifestations of its hatred, intolerance and instigation, and are completely incompatible with the principles of respect and co-existence that Albania has established and values with dedication”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Europe and Albania said through a statement.

According to this ministry, this action represents only those who seek to provoke and spread hatred”, expressing solidarity with the Israeli Embassy, and stressing that hate language cannot be found in Albania.

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu reacted by saying that “any act intended to target the identity of a people, delegate his presence or promote hostility on ethnic or religious grounds creates grounds for intolerance and anti-Semitism”.

Israel has responded to this event. Israeli Ambassador to Tirana Galit Peleg wrote on X that the “such an act does not only serve the cause of public protest, but also violates the dignity of the Albanian people and its proud legacy”.

Reactions were also made by the Albanian Jewish Community, which named this event not only as an incident but as “sinal alarm”.

“History has shown that antisemitism does not start with violence; it begins in words, with propaganda, demonization and silence in front of them. Albania cannot and should not allow masked individuals or radical groups to tarnish our country's international reputation. This is the place that during the Holocaust protected the Jews when most of Europe handed over to death”, it was said in the reaction of this community in Tirana.

The event was also strongly condemned by the opposition Democratic Party, which described as the <x0ukakt criminal, extremist and antisemitic”.

Meanwhile, Tirana police have prosecuted, in a free condition, nine protesters.

The move comes as some protesters stayed overnight é and continue to stand before the prime minister in Tirana.

State police said that four Albanian citizens unveiled public space by placing metal chairs and other items on boulevard in central Tirana, while refusing to leave despite repeated calls of effective people for the release of the area and respect of legal provisions. The law enforcement body added that work is under way to identify other persons who may have committed illegal actions during Saturday's rally.

On the 22nd day of the protest, citizens demand Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation, as well as the cancellation of tourist projects in Zvrinec and Saban, south of Albania. A day earlier, parts of the protest have also become Albanians from the diaspora.

Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, said on Saturday that the international attention for Zrvenci is not related to the protection of nature, but to involvement in the project of Jared Kouchner and his family connection with American President Donald Trump.

He also said the protest showed that “the square has turned into a studio to feed the” algorithm of social networks.

The project in Zrinec, near Vlora, is publicly linked to Jared Kouchner, the son-in-law of the American President Donald Trump.

According to official data, the area in Zvrinec figures owned by the company Albania Land Development, registered on May 27th 2025 at the State Agency of Cadastra.

Meanwhile, the National Business Centre's data shows that owners are brothers from Qatar, Mohammadmoataz Mhd Ruslan Alkhayat and Ramez Mhd Ruslan Alkhayatat. / REL