Venice Biennale protest shutters several national pavilions over Israel inclusion
TL;DR
On the final day of Venice Biennale previews, a strike organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance led to several national pavilions closing or partially closing in protest of Israel's inclusion in the 2026 edition, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria (whose standout work remained closed all day), Japan, North Macedonia and Korea; others briefly opened or closed later. Some artists added pro-Palestinian references to their works, with posters outside pavilions and a British pavilion sign noting a temporary closure. The Israeli pavilion was closed for a private event. The episode continues a pattern of protests surrounding the biennale.
- Several Venice Biennale pavilions shut in protest over inclusion of Israel The Guardian
- An Unprecedented 24-Hour Strike Could Upend the Venice Biennale Artnet News
- Art and Politics The New York Times
- 'Enjoy the show. Ignore the war': Venice Biennale faces backlash after including Russia BBC
- Venice Biennale 'not a court', president says after readmitting Russia Reuters
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