The Venice Art Biennale: Quietly criticising Israel

I considered not visiting the Venice Biennale. Like most people, I am revolted by the double standard of the Italian Ministry of Culture (of the whole government actually): Russia bad, Israel friend. This year, as many of you probably know already, the two colonising countries have returned to the biennale; Israel has been provided with a new home in the Arsenale while its usual pavilion undergoes renovation. Russia was allowed to open its pavilion but only during the press view. Tensions deepened when the Golden Lion jury announced that they would not consider pavilions from countries facing active International Criminal Court warrants. The members of the jury were forced to resign. Reportedly after being pressured by the artist selected for the Israeli pavilion. The contemporary art community doesn’t stand on the side of the oppressor. Hundreds of artists, curators and arts workers taking part in the biennial have signed a letter calling for Israel to be excluded from the biennale.…