In a rare politicisation of the event, the Venice Film Festival was turned into the stage for a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday, August 30th, with organisers Venice4Palestine describing it as “possibly the largest protest ever seen at a major film event.”
As Italian conservative outlet Il Giornale pointed out, the people behind the Venice4Palestine initiative have decided to remain anonymous, although they are believed to be active in the film industry. Their appeal to put pressure on the festival to take a strong stance against Israel would have not made waves had some Italian and international celebrities such as filmmaker Marco Bellocchio, Turkish-Italian film director Ferzan Özpetek and (usual suspect) Pink Floyd founding member Roger Waters not decided to join the initative, Il Giornale noted.
At the protest that reportedly attracted thousands and which was supposed to stand up for peace and the end of the war in Gaza, there war placards and chants saying “From the River to the Sea Palestine Will Be Free,” a slogan literally calling for the eradication of Israel, and “No to Jewish Tyranny” (sic). The protestors marching on the streets of Venice’s Lido district also called for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with banners and signs reading “Stop the Genocide” and chanting “Free, Free Palestine.”
In the open letter sent to the festival organisers, Venice4Palestine accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and condemned Western governments for complicity through arms sales and diplomatic support. Earlier, hundreds of progressive artists called on the festival to disinvite Israeli actress Gal Gadot.
