A major Australian literary festival has been cancelled entirely after its decision to exclude a prominent Palestinian Australian author from its programme triggered a mass boycott by speakers and the resignation of its leadership.
A Decision That Sparked an Implosion
The board of the Adelaide Festival, which runs the associated Writers' Week, announced on Thursday 8 January that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah would be removed from the 2026 lineup. The board cited a need for "cultural sensitivity" following a review conducted in the wake of the Bondi terror attack in December, where 15 people were killed.
While the board stated it did not suggest Abdel-Fattah had any connection to the attack, it said the choice was made "given her past statements." Abdel-Fattah, a critic of Israel, has previously faced criticism for comments alleging Zionists had "no claim or right to cultural safety," which she defends as a critique of a political ideology, not Jewish people.
Wave of Withdrawals and Resignations
The fallout was swift and severe. Within days, more than 180 invited speakers, panellists, and participants announced they were withdrawing from the festival in protest. The exodus included high-profile names such as former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, bestselling author Zadie Smith, journalist Masha Gessen, and acclaimed Australian writer Helen Garner.
On Tuesday 13 January, the festival director, Louise Adler, resigned. Adler, a significant figure in Australian publishing and a member of the progressive Jewish Council of Australia, stated she "cannot be party to silencing writers." Her departure was followed by the almost complete resignation of the festival board.
Festival Collapse and Unaccepted Apology
Facing an untenable situation with 70% of its writers gone, the remaining board members announced that Adelaide Writers' Week "could no longer go ahead as scheduled." They apologised to Abdel-Fattah for "how the decision was represented" but maintained the action was taken out of respect for a community in pain.
Abdel-Fattah rejected the apology as "disingenuous," accusing the board of "blatant and shameless anti-Palestinian racism and censorship." She argued the board regretted the backlash, not the exclusion itself. The South Australian government has denied pressuring the festival and has since appointed a new board.
The cancellation marks a dramatic end for Australia's largest free literary festival, which attracted over 160,000 visitors last year and contributed an estimated $62.6 million to the state's economy.
