One of Australia’s most important literary gatherings has been thrown into turmoil after organisers removed a high-profile Australian-Palestinian author from its programme, triggering mass withdrawals and the eventual cancellation of the festival’s Writers’ Week.
The Adelaide Festival board announced last week that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah had been dropped from its Writers’ Week lineup, citing “sensitivities” following a deadly shooting at a Jewish cultural event in Bondi in December. Fifteen people were killed in that attack, which authorities said was inspired by the Islamic State group.
Although the board said it was not suggesting any link between Abdel-Fattah and the attack, it argued that her past public statements made her appearance “culturally insensitive” in the current climate. Abdel-Fattah strongly rejected the move, describing it as an act of discrimination and censorship against Palestinians.
The decision quickly sparked a wave of protest across the literary world. Within days, dozens of invited writers withdrew from the event in solidarity. By Tuesday, the number had risen to about 180, including international and Australian figures such as former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, British author Zadie Smith, Helen Garner and Kathy Lette.
The controversy also destabilised the festival’s leadership. Four of the eight board members, including the chair, resigned over the weekend, and the director of Writers’ Week stepped down soon after. Faced with mounting pressure, the remaining board issued a new statement apologising to Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was handled and confirmed that Writers’ Week would be cancelled altogether.
Louise Adler, the outgoing director, said she could not support any move that silenced writers. In a public statement, she argued that literature should remain a space for difficult and challenging ideas, especially during times of political and social tension.
Abdel-Fattah had been scheduled to speak about her latest novel, Discipline, a work she describes as a warning about the dangers of silence. She has long been outspoken on Palestinian rights and has previously attracted criticism for statements strongly opposed to Israel and Zionism. Supporters of her removal say some of her past comments were inflammatory, while critics argue that political pressure and fear of controversy drove the decision.
South Australia’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, backed the board’s original move, saying it was unwise to include Abdel-Fattah so soon after the Bondi attack, although he denied exerting direct pressure on organisers. Jewish community leaders also welcomed her removal, arguing it would help maintain harmony at the festival.
Many writers who withdrew said they did not necessarily share Abdel-Fattah’s views but believed her exclusion crossed a line. They warned that cancelling a speaker for political reasons threatened free expression and undermined the role of cultural events as places for open debate.
The fallout has left the Adelaide Festival without a board just weeks before it is due to begin, creating uncertainty around its future and prompting fresh debate in Australia about censorship, cultural pressure and freedom of speech.
Abdel-Fattah has rejected the festival’s apology, saying it addressed only how the decision was presented, not the decision itself. Her legal team has asked organisers to explain which of her statements were used to justify her removal, and she has not ruled out further action.
As the controversy continues, Writers’ Week remains cancelled, and the wider festival is now scrambling to rebuild leadership and restore trust with artists and audiences alike.
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