Serbian Capital Erupts in Protest Over Jared Kushner’s Belgrade Hotel Deal

Hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets of Belgrade this week. They protested a controversial real estate project. The plan is linked to Jared Kushner, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Students protest against a government lease of a site to Jared Kushner, the son in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, for a hotel project at the former Yugoslav People’s Army headquarters, which was destroyed in the 1999 NATO bombing, in Belgrade, Serbia, March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Djordje Kojadinovic

The project aims to replace a bombed-out former army headquarters. It would become a luxury hotel and apartment complex. This has sparked fierce debate over cultural heritage and foreign investment.

Project Faces Legal Scrutiny and Public Outcry

The protests occurred on Tuesday. They were led primarily by students and activists. According to reports from Reuters, the crowd gathered to oppose the special law fast-tracking the site’s development.

Kushner’s firm, Affinity Partners, secured a 99-year lease for the site last year. The deal was made shortly after the building’s protected cultural status was removed. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic strongly defends the investment.

He says it brings at least 650 million euros. The project is a lease, not a sale. Vucic argues it will boost tourism and local property values significantly.

Historical Wounds and Political Tensions Surface

The building’s history makes this project deeply sensitive. It was heavily damaged by NATO airstrikes in 1999. Those strikes were aimed at ending the war in Kosovo.

Many Serbians see the structure as a symbol of national trauma. Its potential demolition for a U.S.-linked venture touches a raw nerve. Protesters say they are defending their history from being erased.

One demonstrator told local media they would not allow the destruction. The sentiment reflects wider public distrust. It also ties into existing grievances over corruption and governance.

The partnership includes UAE-based Eagle Hills. This developer is already involved in other contentious Belgrade waterfront projects. Public suspicion toward large, state-backed developments remains high.

Investigations into possibly falsified documents have already paused the project once. The new special law aims to bypass such hurdles. This legal maneuver has further galvanized the opposition.

The future of the Jared Kushner Belgrade hotel deal now hinges on a volatile mix of politics, memory, and public will. The ongoing protests show that securing a lease is far simpler than securing public acceptance.

Dropping this nugget your way-

Q1: What is Jared Kushner building in Belgrade?

Jared Kushner’s company plans a luxury hotel and apartment complex. It is slated for the site of the former Yugoslav Army headquarters. The project is a joint venture with a developer from the UAE.

Q2: Why are people protesting this development?

Protesters oppose demolishing a historically significant building. The site was bombed by NATO in 1999, holding painful national memories. Many also question the transparency and speed of the approval process.

Q3: What has the Serbian government said about the project?

President Aleksandar Vucic vigorously supports the deal. He emphasizes the large foreign investment value, estimated at over 650 million euros. The government classifies it as an urgent project of national importance.

Q4: Has this project faced legal problems before?

Yes, the project was suspended in May. An investigation was launched into suspected falsified documents used to remove the site’s cultural protection. A new special law was passed to overcome these legal delays.

Q5: Who is Kushner’s partner in the Belgrade deal?

The main local partner is the Serbian government via a land lease. The financial and development partner is Affinity Partners, Kushner’s firm. UAE-based property developer Eagle Hills is also involved in the venture.