Pro-Palestine Protesters Block Israeli Pavilion at Venice Biennale

On May 6, 2026, the opening day of the Venice Biennale preview, hundreds of pro-Palestine activists led by Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) blocked the entrance to the Israeli pavilion in the Arsenale for about half an hour. The protesters waved Palestine flags and banners reading 'No Artwashing Genocide' and 'No Genocide Pavilion at Biennale,' chanting 'Israel, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide.' They distributed mock Biennale booklets titled 'A Guide to Complicity and Protest.' The protest targeted Belu-Simion Fainaru's exhibition 'Rose of Nothingness.' Over 200 artists, including some Biennale participants, had signed a letter urging Israel's exclusion from the 2026 exhibition. The Biennale instead gave Israel an alternative Arsenale location while its Giardini pavilion undergoes renovation. The award jury resigned en masse last week, likely due to backlash over disqualifying Israel and Russia from awards. South African artist Nolan Oswald Dennis, whose work is in the international exhibition 'In Minor Keys' curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, spoke at the protest, reading Kouoh's invitation. Pussy Riot and FEMEN also rallied outside the Russian pavilion earlier that day; Russia's pavilion will close to the public after preview days due to sanctions. The protest dispersed peacefully with no arrests. A 24-hour strike by Venice cultural workers is planned for May 8, potentially disrupting the Biennale's pre-opening schedule.