61st Venice Biennale: Cultural workers and artists strike and protest against the Israeli genocide in Gaza

Ahead of the opening of the 61st Venice Biennale, thousands of artists, cultural workers, and protesters marched through Venice’s streets on May 8, striking against Israel’s participation in the exhibition. The action, organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) and supported by activist groups, led to the closure of 27 of the Biennale’s 100 national pavilions, with signs reading ‘We Stand with Palestine.’ ANGA described the protest as the largest in the Biennale’s history, citing Israel’s alleged war crimes in Gaza, including over 73,000 deaths, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and ICC arrest warrants for its leadership. The Israeli pavilion remained closed and was guarded by armed police, who clashed with protesters. Meanwhile, the main exhibition, *‘In Minor Keys’* at the Arsenale, stayed open, though some artists added Palestinian flags or pro-Palestine signs to their works. ANGA had previously distributed pamphlets calling for a boycott of Israel’s pavilion, labeling it a ‘genocide pavilion,’ and urged attendees to avoid engaging with it. The group also criticized the U.S. pavilion for promoting ‘American excellence’ under the Trump administration’s policies, which reportedly excluded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. European institutions applied pressure to block Russia’s participation, despite its pavilion reopening after a 2022 absence due to the Ukraine war. The European Commission condemned the decision, threatened to suspend €2 million in funding, and launched a formal review to assess compliance with EU sanctions. Members of the European Parliament and representatives from 22 countries, including Ukraine, also demanded action to prevent Russia’s inclusion. The Biennale runs from May 9 to November 22, with tensions highlighting broader debates over art, politics, and complicity in global conflicts. ANGA’s guide to complicity identified the U.S. as Israel’s primary military backer, while EU institutions focused on Russia’s violation of sanctions. The protests underscore the Biennale’s role as a platform for political statements amid escalating humanitarian crises.