The prestigious Adelaide Writers' Week is facing a deepening crisis as former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern becomes the latest high-profile figure to withdraw from the 2026 event. Her boycott is a direct protest against the festival board's controversial decision to disinvite Palestinian-Australian academic and author Randa Abdel-Fattah.
A Growing Wave of Protest
Ardern was scheduled to appear on 3 March 2026 to discuss her memoir, A Different Kind of Power, in conversation with ABC 7.30's Sarah Ferguson. Her withdrawal signals a significant escalation in the ongoing row, joining a powerful coalition of international literary talent who have pulled out.
The list of boycotters now includes best-selling author Zadie Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner Percival Everett, Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis, Irish novelist Roisin O’Donnell, and Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen. In total, more than 70 participants have reportedly withdrawn their participation in solidarity with Abdel-Fattah.
Board Ructions and a Resignation Email
While the public controversy erupted last week when the board cited "cultural sensitivity" following the Bondi terror attack as its reason for dropping Abdel-Fattah, internal divisions began much earlier. Guardian Australia has seen a resignation email from Sydney businessman Tony Berg, sent on 22 October.
In the email, addressed to South Australian Arts Minister Andrea Michaels and board chair Tracey Whiting, Berg resigned because he could not serve on a board that employed a director, Louise Adler, who programmed writers with an "anti-Israel stance." Berg, who identifies as being of Jewish heritage and a supporter of Zionism, wrote: "I cannot remain on the board while these travesties continue."
He specifically criticised Adler for inviting Abdel-Fattah, whom he accused of spewing "extreme hatred towards all Israelis" and crossing a line into antisemitism. Adler has declined to comment on these allegations.
Fallout and Calls for Reinstatement
The decision to cancel Abdel-Fattah has triggered a severe institutional breakdown. Following the announcement, three festival board members and the chair, Tracey Whiting, have resigned, leaving the board in a precarious position.
In a powerful statement, Randa Abdel-Fattah responded to Berg's characterisation, calling it a "patronising and dehumanising erasure of my identity." She stated: "I am not pro-Palestinian - I am Palestinian... I will continue, because I am Palestinian, to resist the state that is committing a live-streamed genocide against my people in Gaza."
An open letter demanding Abdel-Fattah's reinstatement, initially organised by former festival director Rob Brookman, has gained substantial support. It now bears the signatures of 17 prominent arts leaders, including Robyn Archer and Stephen Page. However, with the board now lacking a quorum, no formal decision can be made until the arts minister appoints new members.
The Adelaide Festival Corporation's executive, Julian Hobba, has acknowledged the festival is "navigating a complex and unprecedented moment," promising further updates soon. The event's future programming and reputation now hang in the balance as the international literary community takes a firm stand.
