The artist representing Israel at this year's Venice Biennale in Italy, along with its curators, said Tuesday they will not open the Israeli pavilion until a cease-fire and hostage deal are reached in Israel’s months-long war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A sign on the window of the Israeli pavilion posted Tuesday and written in English reads: 'The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a cease-fire and hostage release agreement is reached.
Israel is among 88 national participants in the 60th Venice Biennale, which runs from April 20-Nov. 24. The Israeli pavilion was built in 1952 as a permanent representation of Israel inside the Giardini, the original venue of the world's oldest contemporary art show and the site of 29 national pavilions. Other nations show in the nearby Arsenale or at venues throughout the city.
The otherland exhibit was set to run from Saturday, April 20, through Sunday, November 24. The Associated Press contributed to this report.