Lebanese-American Artist Nabil Nahas Advocates for Venice Biennale to Remain Apolitical Amid Regional Conflict

In an interview with France 24 on April 2, 2026, Lebanese-American artist Nabil Nahas, who is representing Lebanon at the Venice Biennale, expressed his view that the international art exhibition should not become politicized. This statement comes in response to a petition signed by 200 artists calling for a boycott of the Israeli pavilion at the event. Nahas participated in the discussion to address threats to cultural heritage across the Middle East due to ongoing regional conflicts. According to UNESCO, 125 heritage sites are currently at risk, with some already suffering damage, including the Golestan Palace in Iran. The destruction of these sites endangers collective memory and human history. Nahas emphasized the importance of protecting cultural heritage, a principle established under international humanitarian law through the 1954 Hague Convention. The interview highlighted the broader context of cultural preservation amid warfare affecting areas from Gaza to Tehran, as well as Syria and Lebanon.