There was no immediate comment from Israel’s Ministry of Culture.
Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano expressed solidarity with Israel in a statement on Tuesday, saying that Israel “not only has the right to express its art, but also that its citizens have the right to express themselves at the very moment they were violently attacked by ruthless terrorists.” I have an obligation to testify.” ”
The letter, by a special group called the Art Not Genocide Alliance, was written by the Biennale to discourage South Africa’s participation because of the apartheid state from 1950 to 1968, and to stop the United States from “exchanges with Africa.” He pointed out that the ban was introduced in response to the resolution. The racist regime continued until the end of apartheid. He also noted that the Biennale has supported Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022. Russian artists have withdrawn their participation in 2022.
“The Biennale has been silent about Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian people,” the letter said. “We are appalled by this double standard.”
Signatories include 2023 Turner Prize winner Jesse Darling, who participated in the 2019 Biennale, and Faisal Saleh, director of the American Museum of Palestine, who said his exhibition proposal was rejected.
Israel is one of 88 countries participating in the 60th Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art, which will be held from April 20th to November 29th. 24. The title of the exhibition at the Israel Pavilion is “Motherland” by artist Ruth Patia.
Palestinian artists are participating in accompanying events and will appear in the main show titled “Foreigners Everywhere,” curated by Adriano Pedrosa, artistic director of Brazil’s São Paulo Museum of Fine Arts.
Associated Press writer Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed.