A coalition of 182 artists, curators, and art workers participating in the 2026 Venice Biennale, organized under the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA), formally delivered a letter demanding the exclusion of Israel from the exhibition. The signatories, including prominent artists like Yto Barrada, Alfredo Jaar, and Miet Warlop, argue that the Biennale must not normalize Israeli policies towards Palestinians.
This demand intensifies the already highly politicized atmosphere surrounding the upcoming Biennale. It follows other major controversies, including the cancellation of South Africa's pavilion, the reinstatement of Australia's artistic team after a political debate, and significant outcry over Russia's planned return to the event. The Biennale's leadership has issued a statement rejecting any form of exclusion or censorship, setting the stage for a major institutional and ethical conflict in the global art world.