Overview

• A coalition of artists and activists with more than 1,500 signatories is pressing the Venice Film Festival to withdraw invitations to Gerard Butler, Gal Gadot and others seen as supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza.
• The group asks that the vacated red‑carpet slot be given to a Venice4Palestine delegation carrying a Palestinian flag.
• The Biennale issued a general statement describing the festival as an open forum, while two independent sections, Giornate degli Autori and SNCCI/SIC, showed openness and amplified the appeal.
• Gal Gadot will not attend the festival and her decision was made before the Venice4Palestine initiative, while Gerard Butler’s presence remains unconfirmed with reports that neither actor had formally accepted the invitation.
• Venice4Palestine also seeks stage time for Palestinian artists at the opening ceremony and the suspension of partnerships with entities supporting the Israeli government, and a protest at the Lido is scheduled for August 30.