The Israeli artist closes the Biennial exhibition, urging a ceasefire and the release of the hostages
Since February, thousands of pro-Palestinian activists have tried in vain to convince the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prestigious international art exhibitions, to ban Israel for its conduct in the war on Gaza.But on Tuesday, when the international pavilions of the Biennale open for a media preview, the doors of the Israeli pavilion will still remain closed, at the behest of the artist and curators representing Israel.“The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a ceasefire and hostage release agreement is reached,” reads a sign that the Israeli team taped to the pavilion door.“I hate it,” Ruth Patir, the artist chosen to represent Israel, said in an interview about her decision not to open the exhibition she is working on, “but I think it...