Around nine thousand people, including artists, curators, and museum directors, have signed an online petition calling for Israel's exclusion from this year's Venice Biennale of Arts, accusing it of committing "genocide" in Gaza. Israel is facing increasing international criticism, including within the art world, due to its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Israel vehemently rejects any allegations that its actions amount to genocide.
The statement published by the group "Art is Not Genocide" online reads, "Any official representation of Israel on the international cultural stage is an endorsement of its policies and the genocide in Gaza." The coalition pointed out that the Venice Biennale had previously banned South Africa due to its apartheid policies under white minority rule, as well as excluding Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano described the petition as "an unacceptable and shameful decision... from those who believe they are guardians of truth, with arrogance and hatred, believing they can threaten freedom of thought and creative expression." He stated that Israel "has the right to express its art and also has the duty to be loyal to its people" after facing attacks from "merciless terrorists."
The Venice Biennale press office has not yet responded to a request for comment as of Tuesday. Among those who signed the petition are Faisal Saleh, director of the Palestine Museum in the United States, activist photographer Nan Goldin, and British visual artist Jesse Darling, who won the Turner Prize last year.
The Venice Biennale, dubbed the "Olympics of the Art World," is one of the key events in the global arts calendar. This year's edition, titled "Foreigners Everywhere," is scheduled to feature pavilions from 90 countries from April 20 to November 24.
