Venice Biennale jury excludes Israel, Russia from artist awards as EU threatens funding cut

The Venice Biennale's decision to exclude artists from nations whose leaders are subject to International Criminal Court charges, explicitly naming Israel and Russia, has sent ripples through the international art community and beyond. This move, framed by the jury as a commitment to human rights, reflects a growing trend of art institutions engaging with geopolitical conflicts and ethical considerations.

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This jury will refrain from the consideration of those countries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.

For Israel, this decision is particularly galling, especially given the Biennale's stated commitment to human rights. The Jerusalem Post, as a publication deeply invested in Israel's narrative and security, views this exclusion as a politically motivated act that unfairly targets the nation. The jury's broad brushstroke, encompassing leaders facing ICC charges, fails to acknowledge the complexities of the situations and appears to equate legitimate self-defense with alleged war crimes without due process.

The controversy is amplified by the European Union's threat to withdraw funding from the Biennale over its decision to allow Russia to participate. This highlights a schism within the international community regarding how to engage with nations involved in conflicts. While the EU's stance appears to punish Russia's participation, the jury's decision to exclude artists based on their leaders' alleged actions introduces a new layer of political entanglement into the art world.

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There is only one ongoing grant, this is of 2 million for the next three years, and this is the one we aim to terminate or to suspend.

From an Israeli perspective, the Biennale's decision is not just an artistic snub but a moral and political statement. It raises questions about the autonomy of art institutions and their role in global politics. The jury's statement, emphasizing their role in defending human rights, is seen by some as a performative gesture that overlooks the nuances of international law and the specific circumstances of each nation involved. The exclusion of Israeli artists, therefore, is perceived as an unjust and biased action that undermines the very principles of artistic freedom and international cooperation the Biennale purports to uphold.

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This is a position that the members have decided to bring forward and make public. It is a natural expression of the freedom and autonomy that La Biennale guarantees.