Several Venice Biennale pavilions shut in protest over inclusion of Israel

"A strike called in protest over the inclusion of Israel at the 2026 Venice Biennale meant several pavilions closed on the last day of the preview, some for a few hours while others including the standout work from Austria remained closed all day. The strike was organised by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (Anga), which at one point said that more than 20 pavilions would shutter in order to support their calls for Israel to be barred from the event because of its war in Gaza."

"On Friday, about a dozen pavilions took part, with some partly closing, causing confusion at the event, which is 24 hours away from opening to the general public, after its traditional press preview. The Belgian, Dutch, Austrian, Japanese, Macedonian and Korean pavilions were closed for the day. The British, Spanish, French, Egyptian, Finnish and Luxembourg entries were either closed and then reopened, or opened and expected to close early many at about 4pm."

"Those who entered the Giardini on Friday morning and headed to the British pavilion were met with closed doors and a sign that read: Due to the Italian cultural workers' strike today, it is not possible to open the British pavilion. The sign said the pavilion would open on Saturday, but once extra staff had been found to work at the venue, it reopened. Notices promoting the pro-Palestinian protest outside the Austria pavilion."

"Other artists taking part in the main show (called In Minor Keys) supported the strike by adding references to Palestine to their work. Some, including Tabita Rezaire, hung Palestinian flags, while several of the pavilions had posters outside that read: Palestine is the future of the world and: We stand with Palestine."

A strike protesting Israel’s inclusion at the 2026 Venice Biennale led to several pavilion closures on the last day of the preview. Some pavilions closed for only a few hours, while others, including a standout work from Austria, stayed closed all day. The strike was organized by Art Not Genocide Alliance, which called for Israel to be barred due to its war in Gaza and said more than 20 pavilions would shut. About a dozen pavilions participated, creating confusion as the event was 24 hours from opening to the public. Belgian, Dutch, Austrian, Japanese, Macedonian, and Korean pavilions closed for the day, while others reopened or were expected to close early. Artists in the main show added references to Palestine, including flags and posters reading “Palestine is the future of the world” and “We stand with Palestine.”

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