The five-member jury for the Venice Biennale resigned Thursday, just nine days before the art world's most prestigious event opens. Led by Brazilian curator Solange Farkas, the panel stepped down after backlash over its April 23 decision to exclude artists from countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court investigations from receiving awards.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over actions in Gaza, as well as for Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine. The controversy centered on Israel. Israeli artist Belu-Simion Fainaru, representing Israel at this year's Biennale, called the policy discriminatory. "I should just be judged on the quality and message of my art," he said.

Italy's culture minister publicly expressed support for Fainaru, who plans to exhibit "Rose of Nothingness," an installation featuring a water dripper symbolizing community unity. The Biennale will proceed without a jury to award the prestigious Golden Lion.