Judy Chicago's influential feminist art is currently featured in two major exhibitions in Tel Aviv, sparking both critical acclaim and controversy. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is showcasing 'What If Women Ruled the World?', a show that invites visitors to reflect on gender, power, and peace through Chicago's iconic art quilts. The exhibition arrives amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with the museum located near the site of frequent anti-war demonstrations and calls for the release of hostages.

The exhibit has ignited debate among Israeli and Palestinian artists, some of whom urged Chicago and her collaborator Nadya Tolokonnikova to withdraw, arguing that displaying art in Israel 'artwashes' the war in Gaza and the West Bank. This internal backlash surprised organizers, highlighting divisions within the local art community over cultural boycotts. Despite the controversy, museum leaders defend the importance of dialogue and critical voices in art, emphasizing culture's role in fostering conversation during turbulent times.

A second retrospective of Chicago's six-decade career is also on view at the Nassima Landau Foundation. While Chicago herself has not commented publicly, the exhibitions continue to provoke discussion about the intersection of art, politics, and activism in Israel today.