Venice Biennale President Revealed as Former Fascist Turned Shia Islamist

An investigative report has identified Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the president of the Venice Biennale Foundation, as the individual who hosted and screened the controversial documentary "Naza" (Accidental Damage) at the official Biennale venues. Buttafuoco, an Italian intellectual, began his political career in the neo-fascist MSI movement before converting to Shia Islam, adopting an Iranian-style interpretation, and changing his name to Jaafar "al-Sikili" (the Sicilian).

Buttafuoco is described as an unusual figure in the cultural sphere who advocates for Europe's return to Islam in his writings and maintains close ties with religious and intellectual figures in Tehran. His position at the Venice Biennale, which he views as a cultural bridge where Iran offers a solution to the Western crisis, facilitated the sponsorship and platform for the film by Yuval Avraham and Rachel Shore.

He has previously engaged with the families of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Musa al-Sadr, and authored books on the Islamic struggle in Europe. The revelation of his identity and his religious-political ideology raises significant questions about the motives behind supporting the film project.

The controversy surrounding "Naza" continues to generate debate in Israel and globally. The film has faced severe criticism domestically, including from Iris Haim, mother of fallen soldier Yotam Haim, who accused the filmmakers of spreading dangerous lies and propaganda. Additionally, the IDF and Shin Bet have opened investigations into the alleged leaking of classified materials to the film's interviewees.