Adelaide Writers’ Week in crisis as Authors Boycott Over Dis-invitation of Randa Abdel-Fattah
The Adelaide Writers’ Week is facing a major crisis with dozens of authors withdrawing in protest after the festival dis-invited Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. The decision stems from past statements made by Abdel-Fattah,including a social media post referring to israel as a “murderous Zionist colony” and alleging its existence relies on violence against Palestinians.
The Adelaide Festival board stated the dis-invitation was due to her past statements and a desire to be “culturally sensitive” following the Bondi attack. This decision was supported by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who said Abdel-Fattah had “advocated in writing explicitly against the cultural safety of those who beleive in Zionism.”
Abdel-fattah has condemned the decision as a “racist and obscene attempt to associate me with an atrocity.”
The fallout has been significant, with high-profile authors like Michelle de Kretser, Melissa Lucashenko, Helen garner, Trent Dalton, and Pulitzer Prize-winner Percival Everett among those boycotting the festival.
Eleven former festival leaders have penned an open letter calling for Abdel-Fattah’s reinstatement,describing the board’s decision as a “grave mistake” that will have “far-reaching consequences.” Thay argue the decision is an “egregious incursion on free speech” and accuse the board of using “double-speak” regarding community cohesion. they urge the board to reinstate Abdel-Fattah to “cauterise the growing damage” to the festival’s reputation.
The ABC has contacted the Adelaide Festival for a response to the open letter and its criticisms.
