The Adelaide Festival has removed prominent academic and Palestine advocate Randa Abdel-Fattah from its Writers' Week lineup, citing concerns over 'cultural sensitivity' after a review prompted by the Bondi stabbing attack. The festival board said it had been 'shocked and saddened by the tragic events at Bondi' and that the decision was made given 'her past statements', though it did not suggest any connection between Abdel-Fattah and the attack.
Abdel-Fattah accused the board of 'blatant and shameless' anti-Palestinian racism and censorship. She said the board's attempt to associate her with the Bondi massacre was 'despicable', adding: '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.'
The board acknowledged its decision would likely be disappointing and cause discomfort to other participants, but maintained it was necessary 'at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi'. It asked the community to be respectful to staff and volunteers.
Within hours, several writers and sponsors withdrew in solidarity. The Australia Institute announced it was pulling 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'. Former director Jo Dyer said she was 'appalled' by the decision, while award-winning poet Evelyn Araluen became one of the first writers to publicly withdraw, calling the move a 'devastating betrayal'.
