Venice Biennale Sees Protests Against Israeli Participation, 20 Countries Close Pavilions
Massive protests against Israel's participation erupted at the Venice Biennale, leading to the closure of over 20 national pavilions. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister's visit to the Russian pavilion further fueled the controversy, turning the art event into a stage for geopolitical conflict.
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 08:24
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## Press Release Information
Title: Venice Biennale Sees Protests Against Israeli Participation, 20 Countries Close Pavilions
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Body (first 8000 characters): Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Huang Ya-shih Venice 8th Exclusive Report) The Venice Art Biennale today saw large-scale protests against Israel's participation, with over 2,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashing fiercely with police, and about 20 national pavilions responding by closing. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Salvini chose to visit the Russian pavilion in Venice today, adding fuel to the controversy.
The 61st "Venice International Art Biennale" officially opens on the 9th, with opening previews held from the 6th to 8th. This year, the participation of Russia and Israel has sparked strong public outcry, questioning whether countries that initiate wars should be allowed to participate in this art extravaganza. The EU had previously sent two warnings and imposed sanctions by canceling subsidies for the Venice Biennale, and the international jury of the Venice Biennale even collectively resigned before the opening.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini visited Venice on the 8th, becoming the first high-ranking Italian official to visit the Biennale. He unreservedly visited the Russian pavilion for 25 minutes and voiced support for Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, Chairman of the Venice Biennale Board, for allowing Russia to participate.
"If you want to support Palestine, beating up police at the Venice Biennale won't help. These protesters are in the wrong place at the wrong time," Salvini commented to the media on today's protest against Israel. The protest group at one point attempted to break through police lines to reach the Israeli pavilion, resulting in fierce pushing and shoving.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, however, said, "This protest was held legally, and democracy should defend the right to express dissent, because we are Western countries." He stated that to avoid further controversy, he would not attend the Russian pavilion event, nor did he wish to comment on others' choices.
Corriere della Sera reported that the Milan Jewish community expressed strong indignation over the closure of multiple national pavilions today, questioning whether Israeli artists were being punished not for their work but for their identity, which is the essence of racism. "These countries deliberately harm their own artists and culture to hurt the Jewish state, and ignoring such discriminatory behavior is not neutrality."
According to Sky News Italy, countries that closed their pavilions today at the Biennale include Austria, Belgium, Egypt, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Qatar, Ecuador, and the United Kingdom. (Edited by: Chen Hui-ping) 1150509
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Title: Venice Biennale Sees Protests Against Israeli Participation, 20 Countries Close Pavilions
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Body (first 8000 characters): Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Huang Ya-shih Venice 8th Exclusive Report) The Venice Art Biennale today saw large-scale protests against Israel's participation, with over 2,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashing fiercely with police, and about 20 national pavilions responding by closing. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Salvini chose to visit the Russian pavilion in Venice today, adding fuel to the controversy.
The 61st "Venice International Art Biennale" officially opens on the 9th, with opening previews held from the 6th to 8th. This year, the participation of Russia and Israel has sparked strong public outcry, questioning whether countries that initiate wars should be allowed to participate in this art extravaganza. The EU had previously sent two warnings and imposed sanctions by canceling subsidies for the Venice Biennale, and the international jury of the Venice Biennale even collectively resigned before the opening.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini visited Venice on the 8th, becoming the first high-ranking Italian official to visit the Biennale. He unreservedly visited the Russian pavilion for 25 minutes and voiced support for Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, Chairman of the Venice Biennale Board, for allowing Russia to participate.
"If you want to support Palestine, beating up police at the Venice Biennale won't help. These protesters are in the wrong place at the wrong time," Salvini commented to the media on today's protest against Israel. The protest group at one point attempted to break through police lines to reach the Israeli pavilion, resulting in fierce pushing and shoving.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, however, said, "This protest was held legally, and democracy should defend the right to express dissent, because we are Western countries." He stated that to avoid further controversy, he would not attend the Russian pavilion event, nor did he wish to comment on others' choices.
Corriere della Sera reported that the Milan Jewish community expressed strong indignation over the closure of multiple national pavilions today, questioning whether Israeli artists were being punished not for their work but for their identity, which is the essence of racism. "These countries deliberately harm their own artists and culture to hurt the Jewish state, and ignoring such discriminatory behavior is not neutrality."
According to Sky News Italy, countries that closed their pavilions today at the Biennale include Austria, Belgium, Egypt, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Qatar, Ecuador, and the United Kingdom. (Edited by: Chen Hui-ping) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
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