Full Breakdown
Venice Biennale Jury Bars Russia and Israel from Top Prizes Over ICC Arrest Warrants
4/25/2026, 6:22:45 AM
Core Decision: Excluding Russia and Israel from Golden and Silver Lions
On 23 April 2026 the five-member jury of the 61st Venice Biennale announced that artists representing any country whose head of state is subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant will not be considered for the Golden Lion or Silver Lion awards. Although the statement did not name specific states, the criteria apply to the Russian Federation and Israel, whose leaders—President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—are each under ICC warrants for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The exclusion affects the award process for the 110 participating artists but does not prevent the pavilions from being shown.
Background & Context
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023 over alleged war crimes against Ukrainian children, and a separate warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 concerning the Gaza conflict. Russia’s pavilion was absent from the 2022 and 2024 Biennales after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, returning in 2026 despite protests. Israel’s pavilion, closed in 2024 after curatorial protests, reopened for the 2026 edition. The jury’s move follows a broader debate about whether cultural institutions should sanction states whose leaders face international criminal proceedings.
Key Figures & Groups
- Jury members: Chair Solange Farkas (Brazil), members Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, Giovanna Zapperi.
- Late curator: Koyo Kouoh, whose “In Minor Keys” concept frames the exhibition.
- Venice mayor: Luigi Brugnaro.
- Italian culture minister: Alessandro Giuli.
- European Commission spokesperson (EU funding).
- Critics: Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA), Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, a coalition of artists and curators who signed open letters.
Timeline
- 2022: Russian pavilion excluded after Ukraine invasion.
- 2023: ICC issues arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin.
- 2024: ICC issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu; Israeli pavilion closed after curatorial protest.
- March 2024: Ukrainian officials request a ban on Russia’s participation.
- 23 April 2026: Jury announces award exclusion policy.
- 23 April 2026: European Commission sends letter threatening to suspend a €2 million grant.
- 9 May 2026: Biennale opens; awards to be presented by 22 Nov 2026.
Data & Statistics
- 110 artists selected for the central exhibition.
- 5 jurors responsible for award decisions.
- €2 million EU grant at risk, with a 30-day response window.
- 20+ European countries have publicly called for Russia’s exclusion.
Official Statements & Responses
The jury framed its policy as a “defence of human rights” and emphasized the Biennale’s historic role in linking art to contemporary urgencies. The Biennale Foundation reiterated the jury’s “full autonomy and independence of judgment.” Mayor Brugnaro described the decision as an “independent choice” respecting the Biennale’s autonomy. Culture Minister Giuli stressed that the inclusion of Russia was made “entirely independently by the Biennale Foundation.” The European Commission warned it would terminate or suspend its multi-year grant unless the Biennale altered its stance. Ukrainian officials warned the exhibition could become “a stage for whitewashing war crimes.” The Art Not Genocide Alliance criticized the jury’s refusal to name Israel, arguing the ambiguity “sustains impunity.”
Criticism & Opposition
Ukrainian authorities, ANGA, and a coalition of 74 artists have called for the removal of both pavilions, labeling the Biennale’s compromise insufficient. Protests have taken place outside the Israeli and U.S. pavilions, and open letters have urged the Biennale to bar the contested states entirely.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the jury explicitly named Russia and Israel; some describe the decision as “unprecedented,” while others note prior bans on Russian participation. The Biennale’s response to the EU funding threat remains pending, and neither the Russian nor Israeli embassies have provided comment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s an independent choice which we respect, just as the biennale is independent in choosing to have these pavilions.” — Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of Venice
- “We acknowledge the complex relationship between artist practice and nation-state representation that provides a central structure for the Venice Biennale, particularly the way this relation binds artists’ work with the actions of the state they represent,” — Venice Biennale jury (statement)
- “In this, we stand in solidarity to embrace Koyo Kouoh’s own curatorial statement: In refusing the spectacle of horror, the time has come to listen to the minor keys, to tune in sotto voce to the whispers, to the lower frequencies; to find the oases, the islands, where the dignity of all living beings is safeguarded.” — Venice Biennale jury (statement)
- “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,” — European Commission spokesperson
- “Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli noted that the decision to include Russia was made "entirely independently by the Biennale Foundation, despite the Italian government’s opposition".” — Alessandro Giuli, Italian Culture Minister
- “the jury's refusal to name Israel reveals its limits.” — Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
What’s Next
The Biennale has 30 days to answer the EU’s funding notice; a suspension would affect its budget for the next three years. The jury’s policy will shape award outcomes for the remainder of the 2026 edition, while activist groups continue to pressure organizers for a full exclusion of the contested pavilions.
