Why a writers' festival was cancelled

The 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week has been cancelled. It follows  backlash over a decision to remove Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the festival program.

The Palestinian-Australian author and advocate was slated to speak as part of the Adelaide Festival Writers’ Week event next month. However, the festival board said her previous comments mean it would “not be culturally sensitive” to include her in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. 

Abdel-Fattah has been a vocal critic of Israel and accused of antisemitism, but the writer has called the decision a “blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism.” 

Politicians have weighed in, some supporting and some condemning the move, while dozens of writers and officials have cut ties with the festival. As the fallout from Abdel-Fattah’s removal continues, in today’s deep dive we’ll take you through this controversy from the beginning, and what its cancellation means for the future of the Adelaide Festival.

Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Lucy Tassell
Producer: Orla Maher

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