Over 8,000 artists support decision to ban Israel from Venice Biennale
The petition, supported by over 8,000 artists, curators and writers from around the world, pointed to the injunction issued by the International Court of Justice in January and said: “As Israel’s months – indeed decades-long – assault on Gaza continues against all odds, its leaders declare themselves above international law and brazenly declare their genocidal intentions.”
Emphasis on “double standards”
The petition pointed out that in 2022, at the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian War, the Biennale “made numerous public statements in support of the right to self-determination and freedom” of the Ukrainian people and that Russia was banned for its actions and underlined that the same decision should be made about Israel.
“Any work that officially represents the state of Israel is an endorsement of its genocide policies,” the petition said, emphasizing that no artist or work representing Israel should take part in the Biennial.
Source: Newsroom
