An Australian publisher has scrapped a children's book over comments made by the book's illustrator on the Bondi beach shooting, which the publisher says violates its policy on antisemitism.
The move has prompted several prominent Australian writers to cut ties with The University of Queensland Press (UQP) and sparked allegations of political censorship.
Thousands of copies had already been printed for 'Bila, A River Cycle' - an Indigenous children's book written by poet Jazz Money and illustrated by Matt Chun.
In January, Chun wrote and published an essay on his public Substack newsletter critiquing some of the public's responses to the Bondi shooting.
Fifteen people were killed after two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish festival held at the beach on 14 December.
The victims included Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who led the local Chabad mission, an international Hasidic Jewish group that organised the event.
In his essay, Chun accused the 'Australian left' of trying to 'perform respectability and avoid accusations of antisemitism' in the wake of the shooting, while also criticising media coverage of the incident.
He also criticised Chabad and Schlanger because they had supported Israel's military actions and illegal settlements in Palestinian territories.
The University of Queensland said in a statement that Chun's comments were 'abhorrent and hateful to the innocent victims of the attack'.
They added that the university cannot overlook such statements and cannot proceed in a way that suggests endorsement or association.
It also expressed regret for the impact their decision had on Money, whom they respect.
Copies of the book are now in storage while UQP considers 'recycling options'.
The New South Wales Police are also working with the Engagement and Hate Crime Unit in relation to Chun's post.
Chun stated he was not notified of the specific parts of his writings that led to the book's cancellation.
Money, a Wiradjuri woman, has received accolades for her poetry and feels that the cancellation sets a worrying precedent for politically charged books.
The decision has prompted a boycott of UQP by numerous writers, with some rescinding contracts in protest.
Writers like Evelyn Araluen and Randa Abdel-Fattah have expressed deep disappointment with UQP's actions regarding Money's work.
