Venice Biennale – War Watch

Art | Art and design | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Europe | Exhibitions | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Italy | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestine | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Protest | Venice Biennale | Venice Biennale 2026 | World news

Several Venice Biennale pavilions shut in protest over inclusion of Israel
ByLanre Bakare in Venice May 8, 2026

About a dozen pavilions affected, while some artists backed strike by adding Palestine references to their workA strike called in protest over the inclusion of Israel at the 2026 Venice Biennale meant several pavilions closed on the last day of the pre…

Read More Several Venice Biennale pavilions shut in protest over inclusion of Israel
Art | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Pussy Riot | Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022) | Venice Biennale

Artists’ Strike Closes Pavilions at Venice Biennale, Adding to Upheaval
ByAlex Marshall May 8, 2026May 9, 2026

The hottest exhibitions at the world’s major art exhibition were shuttered on Friday as part of a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Read More Artists’ Strike Closes Pavilions at Venice Biennale, Adding to Upheaval
Art | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Fainaru, Belu-Simion | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Criminal Court | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Russia | Venice Biennale | War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

Venice Biennale Jury Resigns Amid Tension Over Awards Ban
ByAlex Marshall April 30, 2026May 5, 2026

The jury of the world’s most important art exhibition had said it wouldn’t consider artists from countries whose leaders are accused of crimes against humanity.

Read More Venice Biennale Jury Resigns Amid Tension Over Awards Ban
Art | Hague (Netherlands) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Italy | Kouoh, Koyo | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Putin, Vladimir V | Russia | Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022) | Ukraine | Venice Biennale | War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

Venice Biennale Bars Awards for Countries Facing Crimes Against Humanity Charges
ByRemy Tumin April 24, 2026

The jury said it would “refrain from considering” countries whose leaders are facing charges of crimes against humanity, which would affect Israel and Russia.

Read More Venice Biennale Bars Awards for Countries Facing Crimes Against Humanity Charges
Art and design | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Europe | Gaza | Human rights | International Criminal Court | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Italy | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Russia | Ukraine | Venice Biennale | World news

Venice Biennale jury ‘will not award artists from countries facing war crimes charges’
ByAngela Giuffrida in Rome April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

Statement, apparently aimed at Russia and Israel, makes clear it is committed to the defence of human rightsThe jury of the Venice Biennale has said it would not give awards to artists from countries whose leaders are facing charges of crimes against h…

Read More Venice Biennale jury ‘will not award artists from countries facing war crimes charges’