Australian literary festival cancelled after more than 180 speakers withdrew

Organizers cancelled Adelaide Writers' Week after the festival board disinvited Australian-Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah; more than 180 speakers and some sponsors withdrew in response.

Organizers of Adelaide Writers' Week cancelled the event after the festival board removed Australian-Palestinian writer and academic Randa Abdel-Fattah from the program. The board said the decision reflected cultural sensitivities following a recent antisemitic mass shooting in Bondi Beach and did not link Abdel-Fattah to that attack. Abdel-Fattah called the move censorship and rejected an apology that addressed only how the decision was represented. Large numbers of speakers and some sponsors then withdrew, and several festival leaders resigned. Key developments: - The festival board announced Abdel-Fattah's disinvitation citing cultural sensitivities after the Bondi Beach attack, and said it did not allege any connection between her and the incident; the board did not cite specific statements by her. - More than 180 speakers withdrew from the program and some sponsors pulled support; the festival director resigned in protest. - Organizers announced the cancellation of Adelaide Writers' Week and the remaining board members said they would resign, while issuing an apology for how the decision was presented, which Abdel-Fattah rejected. - The federal government said it would recall Parliament to discuss measures on guns and hate speech, announced a royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi attack, and set a national day of mourning for Jan. 22. Summary: The cancellation removes a major cultural event that had drawn large audiences and economic activity, and it has intensified national debate in Australia about the boundaries of free expression and public safety. Political and legal actions are planned at the federal level, including a parliamentary recall and a royal commission, as the immediate public response unfolds.