What's happened
Following the disinvitation of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, over 180 writers withdrew from Adelaide Writers Week, citing censorship and political pressure. The festival was ultimately canceled, with resignations from its leadership and widespread debate on free speech and political influence in Australia. Today's date is Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:45:07 +0000.
What's behind the headline?
The cancellation of Adelaide Writers Week exemplifies the growing tension between free expression and political influence in Australia. The decision to disinvite Abdel-Fattah, justified by claims of cultural sensitivity, was met with widespread protest, revealing a deep divide over issues of censorship and political bias. The mass withdrawal of speakers, including prominent figures like Zadie Smith and Jacinda Ardern, underscores the risk of politicizing cultural events. The resignation of festival leadership signals a broader crisis of confidence in managing free speech amid heightened political pressures. This episode foreshadows ongoing debates about the limits of expression in Australia, especially in the context of national security and identity politics. The event's collapse may lead to increased scrutiny of government and community influence over cultural institutions, with potential long-term impacts on artistic freedom and public discourse.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that the controversy was sparked by the festival's decision to disinvite Abdel-Fattah, citing cultural sensitivities after the Bondi Beach terror attack, which was linked to Islamic extremism. The New Arab highlights that the festival's director, Louise Adler, resigned in protest, criticizing the influence of pro-Israel lobbyists and framing the move as censorship. AP News emphasizes the political context, noting that the attack involved a father and son inspired by Islamic State ideology, which heightened sensitivities around Muslim and Palestinian voices. All sources agree that the decision was driven by political and community pressures, but differ in their framing—some focus on free speech, others on political influence and community safety. The controversy underscores the complex intersection of politics, culture, and security in Australia today.
How we got here
The controversy stems from the festival's decision to disinvite Abdel-Fattah after she made statements criticizing Israel and advocating for Palestinians. The decision was influenced by lobbying from the Jewish community and political figures supporting her removal, citing cultural sensitivities following the recent Bondi Beach terror attack. The backlash led to mass withdrawals by speakers, resignations of festival leadership, and the event's cancellation, highlighting tensions around free speech, political influence, and cultural sensitivities in Australia.
Go deeper
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Randa Abdel-Fattah is an Australian writer. Randa was born in Australia and her debut novel, Does My Head Look Big in This?, was published in 2005.
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Louise Adler AM is a prominent figure in Australian publishing.