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 a 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 following a shooting incident at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach. Although the board clarified they held no direct connection between Abdel-Fattah and the event, they believed inclusion would not be culturally sensitive.
Abdel-Fattah termed the decision as blatant and shameless anti-Palestinian racism and censorship, and the attempt to link her to the tragedy was described as despicable.
Following her exclusion, a wave of authors—including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and British writer Zadie Smith—withdrew from the festival. By Tuesday, the list of withdrawing authors swelled to 180, sparking widespread criticism regarding free speech.
In response to the backlash, four board members resigned, including the chair, and the director of the Writers' Week also stepped down.
Louise Adler, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors and former director of the festival, remarked that the exclusion of Abdel-Fattah would weaken free speech and could herald a less open society.
As artists increasingly face challenges related to expression, the debates surrounding the Adelaide Festival unfold against the broader backdrop of escalating tensions related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Citing the cancellation's implications for free dialogue, various participants argue that limiting voices like Abdel-Fattah's curtails vital conversations about Palestine and cultural identity.
The festival’s administration is navigating a complex scenario, facing calls for accountability over their decision-making process while working to salvage the festival’s programming, slated to open in February.
