Pakistan, May 1 -- The international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale art exhibition has resigned just over a week before the event was due to announce its prestigious prizes, after a dispute over the participation of Russian and Israeli artists.

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The jury, which included president Solange Farkas along with Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, stepped down following internal disagreements regarding eligibility criteria for the Golden and Silver Lion awards.

The controversy began after the jury reportedly stated that it would not consider artists representing countries whose leaders are facing charges at the International Criminal...