The incident surrounding the project, which caused significant controversy in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, on November 11th, divided the country's public. Affinity Partners, run by investor Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, plans to build a huge hotel complex on the site of the former General Staff of the Yugoslav People's Army, which was destroyed by NATO bombings in 1999.
However, this idea was met with strong protest by the residents and activists of Belgrade. Thousands of people gathered in the city center, forming a "living barrier" around the area belonging to the historical building. The protesters drew a symbolic red line so that it was impossible to approach the building.
"We are here not to oppose the law, but for justice. We see that President Vucic is trying to please the Trump administration with this decision. "Perhaps he hopes that this will lift US sanctions on the Serbian oil industry," an activist who participated in the demonstration told Reuters.
Sanctions and political background
As is known, the US government imposed new economic sanctions against Gazprom Neft in early 2024. This decision directly affected Serbia, as Gazprom acquired a controlling stake in the country's main fuel source, NIS - the company "Neftyanaya industriya Serbii." NIS provides 80% of the country's needs for gasoline and diesel.
Initially, the US Treasury Department granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian company, but on October 9, this exemption was lifted. After this, doubts about the Kushner project intensified - the public began to say that through this construction, the Serbian government is trying to reconcile with Washington.
Destroying the inheritance or starting a "new era"?
In May 2024, the Serbian government signed an agreement with Kushner's company to lease the former General Staff buildings for 99 years. Several months later, the parliament abolished the status of this structure as a "cultural heritage site." This decision caused heated debates among activists and architects.
At the same time, the Serbian prosecutor's office is checking the legality of this transaction. Several officials were charged with fraud and document forgery.
President Aleksandar Vučić denied all accusations. He noted that the project is being implemented without any violations of the law, and the first negotiations with the Americans on this issue began back in 2016. "Our goal is not to forget the victims of NATO, but at the same time to build a modern city center," Vucic said.
The law has changed, the public is angry
On November 7, parliament passed an urgent law by the vote of deputies loyal to Vučić. According to the new document, Affinity Partners will be able to act without waiting for all bureaucratic formalities to be completed to begin construction. Now, the consent of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage is not required for the demolition of the building.
This decision again caused great discontent among the public. International organizations - ICOMOS, the Council of European Architects, and Docomomo International - called on the Serbian government to overturn the decision. They recognized these buildings as a modern architectural heritage not only of local but of all of Europe.
Government approach
The Serbian government believes that this project will create new opportunities for the country. According to Nikolai Radosavlevich, a deputy close to Vucic, the complex that Kushner intends to build will transform the center of Belgrade into a "new business and cultural hub," create thousands of jobs, and revitalize the city's economy.
According to The New York Times, the complex is planned to include a luxury hotel, a 1500-apartment residential complex, and a museum.
Conclusion
The demonstrations in Belgrade are not only about protecting the architectural monument, but also about political independence and national pride. For many, preserving the memory of those killed in NATO strikes is not just a matter of history, but a matter of national pride.
Therefore, this construction project is not just about buildings - it also reveals the question of Serbia's direction, its relationship with the future and past.
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