A significant number of authors have decided not to participate in the Adelaide Writers’ Week following the exclusion of Palestinian writer, Randa Abdel-Fattah, from the lineup. Her removal was attributed to “cultural sensitivities” in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terrorist incident.

The Adelaide Festival Board announced the cancellation of Abdel-Fattah’s appearance, which was originally scheduled for February 28 to March 5. The decision was made with the intention of fostering social unity.

“While we in no way imply that Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah or her works are linked to the Bondi tragedy, considering her previous statements, we believe it would be culturally insensitive to feature her at this unique time, so soon after Bondi,” the board clarified in their announcement.

Abdel-Fattah had previously sparked controversy with comments suggesting that Zionists have “no claim or right to cultural safety,” which prompted ongoing backlash.

In a show of solidarity with Abdel-Fattah, many writers have opted out of participating in the festival, with some urging others to boycott the event entirely.

“I believe this statement, and the board’s censorship, to be dangerous, inflammatory, and a broad threat to Australian writers and freedom of speech,” Maxine Beneba Clarke, co-author of Eleven Words for Love, said.

“It is a gross act of discrimination and censorship I can in no way agree with, and I will therefore be withdrawing from this year’s Adelaide Writers’ Week unless Dr Abdel-Fattah’s place in the program is reinstated,” Hannah Kent, author of Always Home, Always Homesick, said.

Others who cancelled their appearance at the event include star British author Zadie Smith as well as Percival Everett, Hannah Ferguson, Jane Caro, Amy McQuire, Peter FitzSimons, Vanessa Turnbull Roberts, Karen Wyld and Chelsea Watego.

Adelaide Writers’ Week has today updated its website to say: “In respect of the wishes of the writers who have recently indicated their withdrawal from the Writers’ Week 2026 program we have temporarily unpublished the list of participants and events while we work through changes to the website.”

Abdel-Fattah said the decision to remove her from the program was a “blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship and a despicable attempt to associate me with the Bondi massacre”.

“The board’s reasoning suggests that my mere presence is ‘culturally insensitive’; that I, a Palestinian who had nothing to do with the Bondi atrocity, am somehow a trigger for those in mourning and that I should therefore be persona non grata in cultural circles because my very presence as a Palestinian is threatening and ‘unsafe’.”

The Adelaide Festival Board said it conducted a review of current and planned events over the past few weeks in light of the heightened community tensions and debates following the events at Bondi on December 14.

The board said the decision to remove Abdel-Fattah from the program has “not been taken lightly” and that a sub-committee has been formed to oversee the review and guide decisions.

“This suite of decisions has been taken with the genuine view that they provide the best opportunity for the success and support of the Adelaide Festival, for Adelaide Writers’ Week and the communities we seek to serve and engage,” the board said.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said he fully supported the board’s decision, as Abdel-Fattah had advocated against the cultural safety of those who believe in Zionism.

”I think in the context of the single worst race-based terrorist attack that we’ve seen in the history of our federation, that matters,” he told ABC.

9news.com.au has contacted Adelaide Writers’ Week for further comment.