Thousands of protesters marched through Venice to demonstrate against Israel's presence at the Venice Biennale, leading many national pavilions to close in solidarity. Pavilions from Austria, Belgium, Egypt, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, and over a dozen other countries shut fully or partially, with some displaying signs reading "We Stand with Palestine." The Israeli pavilion remained closed for its exhibition opening, and armed police clashed with protesters. The main exhibition, curated by Koyo Kouoh, stayed open initially but the Arsenale closed by late afternoon with riot police outside. The 24-hour strike, organized by Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) and Italian activist groups, was described as the largest protest in Biennale history.
This protest matters because it reflects escalating tensions within the art world over geopolitical conflicts, specifically the Israel-Gaza war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Biennale has faced months of controversy, with artists and cultural workers calling for the exclusion of Israel, Russia, and even the United States. Italy's culture minister boycotted the opening over Russia's participation, and the Golden Lion prize jury resigned after stating they would not consider works from countries accused of crimes against humanity. The strike underscores the growing pressure on major cultural institutions to take political stances, challenging the traditional role of art events as neutral platforms.