Australian Writers Festival Director Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Author Cancellation

Adelaide Writers’ Week Director Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Cancellation of Prominent Author’s Appearance

The director of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Louise Adler, has stepped down amid controversy over the cancellation of a scheduled appearance by Palestinian author and activist Randa Abdel-Fattah. The festival’s board had disinvited Abdel-Fattah despite her opposition to the decision.

Adler published an op-ed in The Guardian stating that Abdel-Fattah’s removal from the festival lineup was a blow to free expression. She also criticized the festival’s board for what she described as “anti-Palestinian racism”.

The controversy surrounding Abdel-Fattah’s cancellation has led to a wave of speaker withdrawals and board resignations at the festival. New Zealand’s former prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced that she would not attend the festival due to her opposition to Abdel-Fattah’s appearance.

Several politicians and Jewish groups have backed the revocation of Abdel-Fattah’s invitation, while others have criticized her views as being anti-Israeli. The Australian Prime Minister has announced a national day of mourning on January 22 to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach attack.

The festival’s board had cited concerns over cultural sensitivity following the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December. Abdel-Fattah had called her removal “a blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism”.

A total of 180 writers, including Yanis Varoufakis and Zadie Smith, have boycotted the festival due to their opposition to Abdel-Fattah’s appearance.

The situation has sparked a heated debate over free speech and cultural sensitivity.

Source: Al Jazeera