Israeli artist refuses to open exhibition in protest against attacks in Gaza

One of the most important art events in the world, the Venice Biennale, which begins this Saturday (20), is also being the stage for demonstrations against Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip. Militants and artists have used the fair’s projection to press for an end to hostilities and denounce the genocide of Palestinians by Israeli forces.

This week, the artist chosen to represent Israel at the Biennale, Ruth Patir, refused to open the national pavilion until there is a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. “If I have been given such a remarkable stage, I want to make it worthwhile,” she declared.

Also this week, on Wednesday (17), demonstrators staged a protest against Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people during the opening of the Biennale, which was open to invited guests.

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On the march, they started from the Israeli pavilion and passed through those of the United States and Germany. One of the organizers was the Alliance for Art and Non-Genocide (Anga), which also launched a petition to ban Israel’s participation in the event, which has already gathered around 24 thousand signatures.

The 60th Venice Biennale runs until November 24th and has the theme “Foreigners Everywhere”. For the first time, the event will be curated by a Latin American, Brazilian Adriano Pedrosa.

Tension in the Middle East

This Friday (19), according to information from the United States, Israel carried out an attack against Iran and, according to a state agency, three drones were shot down. The conflict between the countries could worsen the situation in the region, already marked by attacks on Palestine.

Also this week, Israel continued attacking the Gaza Strip. To date, 34,000 Palestinians have been killed — of which around 1/3 are children — according to data from the local Ministry of Health. Another 76 thousand people were injured.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) also reports, in a document released on Tuesday (16), cases of physical torture, deprivation of food, water and sleep, in addition to extreme sexual violence against Palestinian hostages.

According to reports, detainees were held in inhumane conditions, including makeshift cages, while they were subjected to brutal interrogations.

With agencies

(PL)