Jared Kushner plans to visit Israel next week for Gaza talks, according to Axios, which cited five sources with knowledge of the visit.

Visit details

The planned trip was reported by Axios, drawing on five sources described as having knowledge of the visit. No further details about the agenda or duration of the visit were disclosed in the available information.

Thousands of Albanians gathered in the streets of Tirana on Wednesday to protest a luxury resort planned by Jared Kushner, transforming a local development dispute into a broader challenge against Prime Minister Edi Rama's government. The demonstration, the largest to date against the project, saw protesters holding signs reading "Albania is not for sale" and chanting "New Albania" outside the Prime Minister's office. The crowd stretched approximately half a mile down one of the capital's main boulevards.

The proposed development, expected to cost about 5 billion euros, or roughly $5.77 billion, has drawn significant anger due to its location near the ecologically sensitive Zvernec wetlands. This area serves as a habitat for flamingos, seals, and sea turtle nesting sites. Beyond environmental concerns, critics argue that the project lacks transparency and grants foreign investors excessive influence over protected Albanian land.

Project Details and Opposition

The resort initiative is led by Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, who reportedly developed the concept after visiting Albania on a yacht trip. The plan involves converting a large former Cold War-era military site and coastal land near Zvernec into an ultra-luxury eco-resort. The proposed facilities include hotels, private villas, and a yacht marina, with Aman Resorts expected to manage the operations.

Protest activity began near the development site last month after developers erected fencing around portions of the land. Although the fence has since been removed, the opposition has persisted and intensified.

Political and Regulatory Implications

Prime Minister Rama, who has led Albania since 2013, stated this week that the project would proceed and be completed responsibly. He referenced the country's anti-corruption efforts, specifically through SPAK, Albania's special prosecution office, as a safeguard for the process.

However, the project faces scrutiny beyond domestic borders. The European Commission has cautioned Albania that the development could jeopardize its EU accession path if the government weakens environmental protections to accommodate the resort. This international pressure adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing political debate surrounding the investment.