Entire Venice Biennale jury resigns after announcing no awards for Russia or Israel

The entire jury of the Venice Biennale International ​Art Exhibition has resigned, organisers said on Thursday.

According to Reuters news agency, the resignations come a week after the panel announced it would not ‌hand out awards to artists from Russia or Israel.

The Biennale did not give a reason for the move, which marks a dramatic escalation in a dispute that has thrown one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art events into turmoil days before its ​May 9 opening.

The five-strong jury, headed by Brazilian curator Solange Farkas, said last week that "in the defence ​of human rights" it would not consider works from countries whose leaders face charges ⁠at the International Criminal Court.

The only two countries affected were Russia and Israel, with the ICC issuing arrest ​warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin in relation to the war in Ukraine, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ​over the Gaza war.