Cultural workers plan Venice Biennale strike over Israel's participation
Updated
Updated · Art Newspaper · May 6
Cultural workers plan Venice Biennale strike over Israel's participation
8 articles · Updated · Art Newspaper · May 6
The 24-hour stoppage and 4:30pm rally on Viale Garibaldi are set for 8 May during the 61st Biennale's opening week, with Italian unions backing ANGA's action.
ANGA says more than 230 artists, curators and art workers previously demanded Israel's pavilion be cancelled and is urging signatories to close pavilions and venues in protest.
The dispute follows the resignation of the five-member prize jury and wider controversy over Israel and Russia's presence, while Biennale management says the strike does not involve its staff.
With expert juries gone, can a public vote at the Venice Biennale truly escape political manipulation?
Should an artist's work be judged on its merit or their passport during times of geopolitical conflict?
Art and Politics Clash at the 61st Venice Biennale: Strikes, Jury Resignations, and Pavilion Controversies
Overview
The 61st Venice Biennale in 2026 was marked by intense political conflict, especially surrounding Israel and Russia's participation. The Art Not Genocide Alliance led protests and a 24-hour strike demanding Israel's exclusion, disrupting its pavilion and drawing condemnation from Israel's Foreign Ministry. Meanwhile, the Biennale jury attempted to exclude both Israel and Russia from awards due to ICC charges, leading to their mass resignation. This forced the Biennale to cancel traditional awards and introduce public-voted prizes, maintaining all pavilions' eligibility. Russia's pavilion faced government boycotts and was restricted to preview days, while Israel's pavilion remained open amid ongoing protests. These events exposed deep tensions in the national pavilion model and challenged the Biennale's commitment to artistic freedom and inclusion.