Venice Biennale targeted by strike action and protests over Israel's involvement
Protests will take place on Friday against Israel’s participation in the Venice Biennale, with a 24-hour cultural strike called by a coalition of Italian and international unions and activist groups.
The strike, which is the first to be organised within the prestigious arts festival, follows protests on its first day of Russia and Israel’s involvement.
On Wednesday, the Art Not Genocide Alliance (Anga) organised a direct action in solidarity with Palestine outside the Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale’s Arsenale complex.
Hundreds of protesters, holding signs including “No artwashing genocide” and “No genocide pavilion”, gathered for speeches by artists and artworkers exhibiting and working at this year’s Biennale.
All of them were protesting against Israel's inclusion in the festival. Israel has killed scores of Palestinian artists and destroyed many cultural and artistic sites during its genocide in Gaza.
Read more: Venice Biennale targeted by strike action and protests over Israel's involvement
The Art Not Genocide Alliance protests against Israel's involvement in the Venice Biennale, in Venice, Italy, on 6 May 2026 (Anga)