“This is not Paris”: Palestinian flag removed during student protests in Albania (Video)

DUANEWS | October 21, 2026

A moment during student protests in Albania has drawn attention after a Palestinian flag was reportedly removed almost immediately after being raised among demonstrators.

According to a description of the incident, an individual wearing a mask lifted a Palestinian flag during the protest. Another person quickly intervened, grabbed the flag and pulled it away, preventing it from remaining on display.

The confrontation, although brief, raises questions about political symbols, the purpose of student demonstrations and disagreements over which causes should be represented at public protests.

A Flag That Sparked an Immediate Reaction

The Palestinian flag has become a prominent symbol at demonstrations in cities around the world, including Paris, where protests over the war in Gaza have attracted considerable attention.

In Albania, however, the reported incident suggests that at least one participant objected to the flag’s presence at the student demonstration.

It remains unclear whether the person who removed the flag was an organizer, another student or an unrelated participant. The motivation behind the intervention has also not been independently established.

A Disagreement Over the Message of the Protest

Student demonstrations often bring together participants with different political opinions and priorities.

Some believe protests should remain focused on the specific demands that brought people into the streets. Others consider public demonstrations an appropriate place to express solidarity with international causes.

The removal of the Palestinian flag illustrates how those approaches can come into conflict, even among people participating in the same gathering.

The incident should not, however, be interpreted as representing the views of all Albanian students or protesters.

A Brief Incident With a Broader Message

The phrase “This Is Not Paris” captures the contrast between the prominent display of Palestinian flags at some demonstrations in the French capital and the reported reaction at this protest in Albania.

But the full circumstances of the incident, including the exact location, date and identities of those involved, remain unverified.

What appears to have lasted only a few seconds has nevertheless raised a broader question: Who decides which political symbols belong at a student protest?

Video Source Disclaimer: This video has been widely shared across social media, including by Instagram accounts @visegrad.24 and @lajmesi_shqiperise. Neither account has been verified as the original creator of the footage. The identity of the original videographer and the source of the recording remain unknown. DUANEWS is sharing the footage for news reporting and informational purposes.