The board of the Adelaide Festival has sparked a major controversy by removing prominent academic and author Randa Abdel-Fattah from its upcoming Writers' Week programme. The decision, justified by the board as a matter of 'cultural sensitivity' following the recent Bondi terror attack, has been met with fierce accusations of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship.
Festival Board Cites Community Tensions
In a statement released on Thursday, the festival's board said it had been 'shocked and saddened' by the events at Bondi and the subsequent 'significant heightening of both community tensions and the community debate'. The board stated that, after a review, it had formed the judgement not to proceed with Abdel-Fattah's scheduled appearance next month.
'We have formed the view that it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to programme her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi,' the board explained. It stressed it was not suggesting any link between Abdel-Fattah and the tragedy but pointed to 'her past statements' as a factor.
Author Accuses Board of 'Blatant Racism'
Randa Abdel-Fattah, a noted Palestinian advocate and novelist, responded swiftly with a powerful condemnation. She accused the Adelaide Festival board of 'blatant and shameless' anti-Palestinian racism and censorship, labelling their attempt to associate her with the Bondi massacre as 'despicable'.
'The Board’s reasoning suggests that my mere presence is 'culturally insensitive'; that I, a Palestinian who had nothing to do with the Bondi atrocity, am somehow a trigger for those in mourning,' she stated. Abdel-Fattah argued that the decision reduced her to an object of 'racist fears and smears' and reflected a wider pattern in Australian cultural institutions of demanding Palestinian silence.
Wave of Withdrawals and Condemnation
The fallout from the board's decision was immediate. Key sponsors and fellow authors began pulling out in solidarity with Abdel-Fattah.
- The Australia Institute withdrew its sponsorship for the 2026 event, stating that 'censoring or cancelling authors is not in the spirit of an open and free exchange of ideas.'
- Evelyn Araluen, a Stella Prize-winning poet, publicly withdrew, calling the move a 'devastating betrayal' of democratic ethos.
- First Nations academic Chelsea Watego also removed herself from the lineup.
- Publisher Pink Shorts Press condemned the removal and is reconsidering its festival collaboration.
Former Adelaide Writers' Week director Jo Dyer said she was 'appalled' by the 'shocking decision', predicting far-reaching consequences.
Background of Previous Clearance
The controversy follows a recent clearance for Abdel-Fattah. In December 2025, she was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation into potential conflicts of interest and spending queries. This investigation was launched amid criticism of her comments on Israel.
The Australian Research Council confirmed that a suspension on an $870,000 research grant had been lifted following a preliminary investigation by Macquarie University. Abdel-Fattah has faced sustained criticism from some political and community groups for her views on Zionism and Israel.
The Adelaide Festival board has formed a subcommittee to oversee an ongoing review of its operations. The festival's lineup still includes over 150 writers, such as Palestinian poet Najwan Darwish and Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis. The board says it will communicate with all participants in the coming days as the fallout from this divisive decision continues to unfold.
