Biennale jury announces it will not evaluate Israel and Russia pavilions

The Venice Biennale’s 2026 jury said on April 23 it will not evaluate Israel or Russia for this year’s official awards. (artnews.com) (labiennale.org) The five jurors said they will “refrain” from considering countries whose leaders are charged by the International Criminal Court, a standard that currently reaches Israel and Russia. (artnews.com) (hyperallergic.com) That matters because the jury decides the Biennale’s top honors, including the Golden Lion for best national participation and the Silver Lion and artist prizes. (labiennale.org) (intrieste.com) La Biennale di Venezia has not said the two countries are barred from showing work. Its standing policy says countries recognized by Italy may autonomously request official participation. (labiennale.org) Russia’s return had already drawn political pressure before the jury statement. Reuters reported that Moscow had not participated since 2022 and that its 2026 pavilion was approved by Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. (yahoo.com) The European Union’s executive branch has also warned it intends to cut funding to the Biennale over the Russian pavilion’s inclusion, according to Reuters and ARTnews. (yahoo.com) (artnews.com) Israel has publicly pushed back. ARTnews reported that artist Belu-Simion Fainaru called the jury’s position a boycott and said art should remain a space for dialogue. (artnews.com) The Biennale opens to the public on May 9 after preview days on May 6, 7 and 8, and runs through November 22 in Venice’s Giardini, Arsenale and other sites. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2) So the immediate effect is narrower than an expulsion: Israel and Russia can still be present, but the jury says they will not be in the prize race when awards are handed out on opening day. (labiennale.org) (artnews.com)