Protesters in Venice have called on Israel not to be included at this year’s Art Biennale [Getty]
In an unprecedented move, more than two dozen national pavilions at the Venice Art Biennale this week shut their doors in protest over Israel’s ongoing violence in Gaza.
Countries including France, Belgium, Austria, and Italy walked out of the festival, an international cultural exhibition hosted every two years in the Italian city.
The boycott was triggered by opposition to both Israel’s and Russia’s participation, leading to the resignation of the international jury, coordinated pavilion shutdowns, artist boycotts, and protests across the Giardini, the Venice park that usually hosts the Biennale.
Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza since October 2023 has killed more than 72,000 people, while Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Despite a ceasefire, Israeli strikes on Gaza continue, and Russia’s war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending.
The five-member jury reportedly resigned after refusing to judge works from participants linked to Israel and Russia, whose leaders are wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. Their departure forced organisers to open voting to the public.
In solidarity with the jury, more than 70 artists also withdrew, and in the following days, more than 25 national pavilions either partially or fully closed.
The Palestinians, whose state is not recognised by Italy, do not have their own pavilion but are represented by an exhibition dedicated to Gaza at Palazzo Mora, titled “Gaza – No Words – See the Exhibit.”
On 8 May, around 2,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Venice protested Israel’s participation at the arts event
The upheaval at the Biennale coincides with the 78th commemoration of the Nakba, when the state of Israel was created following the violent killing and mass expulsion of at least 700,000 Palestinians.
The crisis is unusual for the Biennale, which has traditionally remained neutral on conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine.
Israel has faced increased scrutiny at several arts and sporting events amid its military campaign in Gaza and ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland boycotted this year’s Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s participation.
