One of Australia's biggest cultural festivals has been left in disarray after a decision to disinvite a prominent Australian-Palestinian writer, triggering a massive backlash and mass exodus from fellow authors.
The board of the Adelaide Festival last week said Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah, a vocal critic of Israel, had been removed from its Writers' Week lineup due to sensitivities after the shooting of 15 people – by gunmen allegedly inspired by the Islamic State militant group – at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach in December.
Though the Adelaide Festival's board stated they do not suggest in any way that Abdel-Fattah had any connection with the tragedy at Bondi, they decided it would not be culturally sensitive to include her given her past statements.
Abdel-Fattah condemned the decision, calling it a blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship and denouncing any attempt to link her to the Bondi attack as despicable.
In the days following the announcement, dozens of writers scheduled to appear withdrew from the festival. The list grew to 180, including respected figures like former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and British author Zadie Smith, who condemned the decision as an attack on free speech.
In the wake of the growing controversy, four members of the eight-member board resigned, including the chair, and the director of Writers' Week also stepped down. Louise Adler, a prominent figures in the arts community who opposed the decision, articulated the importance of supporting a diversity of viewpoints in fostering freedom of speech.
The drama surrounding the festival might also lead to legal repercussions and throttle its full range of planned events, set to commence in late February, as the board navigates the fallout from this contentious issue.
