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Pro‑Palestinian Protest Draws Thousands to Venice Film Festival as Police Hold the Line

Festival leadership reiterates institutional neutrality despite activist pressure led by Venice4Palestine.

Overview

  • Several thousand demonstrators marched on the Lido and were stopped at the festival entrance behind a police cordon.
  • Protesters carried Palestinian flags with signs urging a boycott of Israel and calling to “end the genocide.”
  • On the red carpet, Maryam Touzani and Nabil Ayouche held a “Stop the genocide in Gaza” placard, and Yorgos Lanthimos wore a Palestine‑colored pin.
  • Venice4Palestine says about 2,000 people signed its open letter, citing supporters including Guillermo del Toro, Todd Fields, Michael Moore and Ken Loach.
  • Director Alberto Barbera said the Biennale does not take direct political positions and declined to bar artists named by activists, as the program features The Voice of Hind Rajab set to screen Wednesday.