Protests Target Israel, Russia Pavilions at Venice Biennale

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Israel's temporary pavilion at the Venice Biennale's Arsenale complex on Wednesday, demanding its closure in opposition to the country's participation amid its military campaign in Gaza. The demonstration, organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA), marked the first day of previews for the 61st edition of the prestigious international art exhibition, which opens to the public on Saturday and runs through November 22.

Protesters waved Palestinian flags, held banners reading "No artwashing genocide" and "Israel you can't hide, we charge you with genocide," and delivered speeches by artists and cultural workers. ANGA described the action as a direct response to what it called institutional support for Israel's actions, which it said have resulted in the deaths of Palestinian artists and the destruction of cultural sites in Gaza. Security personnel and Italian police monitored the event, but no arrests or escalations were reported.

The protest followed an open letter from ANGA in March, now signed by more than 236 artists, curators, art workers, and 18 national pavilion teams, urging the Biennale to exclude Israel. Organizers have not...