Overview

• The Venice4Palestine appeal grew to roughly 1,500 signatories and shifted from urging a clear stance on Gaza to a contentious demand to exclude Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler.
• The Biennale and festival leadership rejected any bans as censorship, a position echoed by director Paolo Sorrentino, who supports condemning Gaza’s devastation but opposes boycotts.
• Carlo Verdone said he signed an initial appeal on Gaza and that the names of Gadot and Butler were added later, stressing he does not support excluding artists.
• Festival host Emanuela Fanelli said she will join the Gaza march but will not address the issue from the stage, drawing sharp criticism from commentators Veronica Gentili and Selvaggia Lucarelli.
• Police have planned a dedicated public‑order operation, the questore convened the COSP, and organizers expect at least 3,000 people, with the corteo not slated to reach the red carpet; reports say Gadot and Butler’s attendance was not planned.