US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Venice Biennale Jury Excludes Israel and Russia From Top Prizes
- On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the five-member Venice Biennale awards jury, led by Brazilian curator Solange Oliveira Farkas, announced it will exclude countries from competition if their leaders face International Criminal Court charges for crimes against humanity.
- While the jury statement avoided naming specific nations, the ruling targets Russia and Israel, whose leaders, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hold ICC arrest warrants for alleged war crimes.
- Artists exhibiting in 'In Minor Keys' supported the jury's decision, echoing pressure from The Art Not Genocide Alliance , which represents nearly 10,000 signatories opposing Russia's return to the exhibition.
- The ruling escalates political tensions at the 2026 edition, running May 9 to November 22, as the European Union moved to withdraw a $2.3 million grant over Russia's participation.
- Biennale leadership has not issued an official statement, though Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended the foundation's open-door approach, while the jury remains responsible for awarding two Golden Lions.
Insights by Ground AI
24 Articles
24 Articles
Participation, but not winning: The jury of the Venice Biennale does not want to take into account any countries against which allegations are made at the World Criminal Court in the competition for the Golden and Silver Lions.
·Frankfurt, Germany
Read Full Article
According to the jury, countries whose leaders are currently accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity will not claim the award.
Representatives of Russia and Israel were excluded from the list of contenders for the main awards of the 61st Venice Biennale.
President Solange Farkas, Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma and Giovanna Zapperi announce it: "A commitment to the defence of human rights"
·Italy
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources24
Leaning Left7Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 21%
R 29%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
