Adelaide festival removes Randa Abdel-Fattah over 'cultural sensitivity' after Bondi attack

The Adelaide Festival board said it has removed academic and Palestine advocate Randa Abdel‑Fattah from the upcoming Writers' Week program after a review prompted by the Bondi attack; Abdel‑Fattah labelled the decision racist and censorious, and some writers and a sponsor have withdrawn in response.

The Adelaide Festival board has advised that Randa Abdel‑Fattah will no longer appear at next month's Writers' Week following a review the board carried out after the Bondi attack. The board cited heightened community tensions and said it judged it would not be culturally sensitive to proceed with her scheduled appearance at this time. Abdel‑Fattah described the decision as anti‑Palestinian racism and censorship and publicly criticised the board. Several writers and a sponsor announced withdrawals or expressed public disapproval in the hours after the board's statement. Key facts: - The festival board said the decision followed a review undertaken in the wake of the Bondi attack and cited concerns about cultural sensitivity and community tensions. - Randa Abdel‑Fattah issued a statement accusing the board of anti‑Palestinian racism and of unfairly linking her presence to the attack. - The Australia Institute withdrew its sponsorship and some writers publicly withdrew or criticised the board's decision. - The board has formed a subcommittee to oversee the ongoing review of Adelaide Writers' Week and said it will communicate with participants in coming days. Summary: The decision has drawn public criticism and several immediate withdrawals, affecting the festival's program and relationships with participants and sponsors. The board has created a subcommittee to guide further decisions and plans to communicate with Writers' Week participants; the ultimate outcome and any longer‑term changes are undetermined at this time.