The Venice Biennale jury said it will not consider entries from countries whose leaders face charges at the International Criminal Court, implicitly pointing to Russia and Israel. The five jurors, selecting Golden and Silver Lions from 110 participants, framed the move as a commitment "to the defense of human rights." The decision follows controversy over Russia's return to the Biennale and prompted the European Commission to warn it may suspend or terminate a €2 million grant, giving organisers 30 days to respond.
Venice Biennale Jurors Exclude Artists From Countries With ICC-Charged Leaders; EU Threatens €2M Funding Cut
FILE PHOTO: European Union flags flutter outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium Februrary 26, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman//File Photo
ROME, April 23 (Reuters) - The five-member jury for the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition announced on Thursday that it will not consider works by artists representing countries whose leaders currently face charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), an apparent reference to Russia and Israel. The festival opens on May 9.
The jurors, who will select the winners of the Golden and Silver Lion awards from among 110 participants, said their decision reflected a commitment "to the defense of human rights" and the moral responsibilities of their role.
"This jury will refrain from the consideration of those countries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court," the jurors said in a statement, without naming specific countries.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for sitting leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes involving children in Ukraine, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the war in Gaza. Neither the Israeli nor the Russian embassies in Rome immediately replied to requests for comment.
EU Response And Funding Threat
The decision renewed controversy after the Biennale's recent move to allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion — a step that followed widespread exclusions of Russian artists and institutions across Europe after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
On Thursday the European Commission said it had sent the Biennale a letter notifying the organisers of its intention to suspend or terminate a single ongoing grant of €2 million (about $2.34 million) that covers the next three years. An EU Commission spokesperson said the Biennale has 30 days to respond to the letter.
"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," the spokesperson told reporters.
Biennale Stresses Jury Independence
In a separate statement the Biennale underlined the autonomy of the jury. "This is a position that the members have decided to bring forward and make public. It is a natural expression of the freedom and autonomy that La Biennale guarantees," organisers said, while acknowledging the broader debate over cultural engagement and accountability in wartime.
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