Italy: Most Venice Biennale pavilions reopen after protests, Israeli and Russian sections remain closed.

SHOTLIST: VENICE, ITALY (MAY 9, 2026) 1. PRO-PALESTINE SIGN ON DESK 2. VARIOUS OF TURKISH PAVILION 3. EXTERIOR OF VENICE BIENNALE WITH VISITORS 4. VARIOUS OF PAVILIONS, ARTWORKS, ROBOTS, SIGNS AND PERFORMANCES DISPLAYED AT VENICE BIENNALEVENICE, ITALY - MAY 9: Following protests and controversy a day earlier, most national pavilions at the Venice Biennale reopened to visitors on Saturday, May 9, with the exceptions of the Israeli and Russian pavilions. The Venice Biennale in Italy was disrupted Friday as protests over Israel’s participation led several national pavilions to temporarily close, according to local media reports. Protesters gathered on Via Garibaldi near the Giardini area, with organizers estimating more than 1,000 participants, while police placed the figure at around 500. Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving the territory’s 2.4 million people on the verge of starvation. The Israeli army launched a brutal two-year offensive on Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 72,000 people, injuring over 172,000 others, and causing widespread devastation across the besieged enclave.