The opposition group in Serbia has launched a petition against a real estate development project financed by Jared Kushner’s company, which plans to build a high-rise hotel, luxury apartment complex, office spaces, and shops on the site of the former Serbian army headquarters destroyed in a NATO bombing campaign in 1999. The petition asks the government to respect the law, which states that the building can only be returned to its original function, and calls for the establishment of the Museum of Serbian History on the site. The Kreni-Promeni movement stated that 10,000 people signed the petition in less than 24 hours, arguing that construction of a hotel on the site is illegal and represents the destruction of Serbian dignity.
While pro-Trump government officials in Serbia have welcomed the project, the opposition and many in the general public have spoken out against it, viewing the site of the bombed-out army command building as a symbol of Serbia’s resistance against NATO aggression 25 years ago. The conflict between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo in 1998-99 resulted in about 13,000 deaths, mostly ethnic Albanians, until a NATO bombing campaign forced Serbian troops out of Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Belgrade does not recognize it. Meanwhile, the Albanian tourism ministry confirmed that Kushner’s firm, Affinity Partners, applied for an investment project to turn a former military base on Sazan Island in the Adriatic Sea into a resort, with Prime Minister Edi Rama expressing pride in attracting such interest.
The controversy over the real estate development project in Serbia highlights the complex historical and political dynamics in the Balkans region, where the wounds of past conflicts, such as the Kosovo War, still run deep. The opposition’s stance reflects a desire to preserve the memory and significance of the former army headquarters as a symbol of resistance and national identity, while also emphasizing the importance of upholding the law. The government’s support for the project, on the other hand, underscores the economic potential and international investment interest in developing the site, despite the concerns raised by the opposition and the public.
With tensions rising over the project, the petition and public outcry against the construction of a hotel on the site of the former army headquarters signal a broader debate over the balance between economic development and historical preservation in Serbia. The opposition’s efforts to mobilize support through the petition demonstrate a commitment to holding the government accountable and ensuring that decisions regarding significant historical sites are made transparently and in accordance with the law. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Serbian government will respond to the opposition’s demands and the implications of the project for the country’s historical legacy and national identity.
