Authors boycott Adelaide Festival after organisers drop Palestinian writer Randa Abdel Fattah

Dozens of prominent arts and literature figures have announced they are boycotting the Adelaide Festival after it dropped Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel Fattah from the programme.

The organisers dropped the author citing "cultural sensitivity" following the Bondi attack in December, where a gunman killed 15 people at Bondi Beach in Sydney, amid the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The bizarre move was made despite Abdel Fattah having nothing to do with the attack.

"Whilst we do not suggest in any way that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s or her writings have any connection with the tragedy at Bondi, given her past statements, we have formed the view that it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi," the festival’s board’s statement read.

At least 70 people have so far said they would no longer be participating in the event, with the number of people boycotting still growing.

Some prominent literary names have joined the boycott including award-winning novelist Michelle de Kretser, poet Evelyn Araluen, and journalist Chloe Hooper.

Trent Dalton, a best-selling novelist, also pulled out of a ticketed event, where he was set to make a keynote appearance.

Other journalists, commentators and political analysts have also joined the boycott, with some stating they would only re-join the event if Abdel Fattah is reinstated.

Abdel-Fattah’s removal from the event has triggered widespread backlash online, with many calling the decision unfair.

"Even some members of the Adelaide Festival board are resigning over the decision to succumb to the pro-Israel lobby and disinvite a Palestinian writer. How long before the remaining board members reverse course to save the Writers' Week festival?," Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, wrote.

In a post on X, Abdel Fattah said the decision was "a blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism", rejecting any links between her and the Bondi massacre.

This is not the first time the festival council has come under fire. In 2024, the council refused to expel pro-Israel columnist Thomas Friedman, despite the request from at least nine other academics, including Abdel Fattah.

According to reports, the calls to remove him came after he penned an article where he likened Arab and Muslim women to insects and rodents. He later admitted that his language could be seen as dehumanising and containing racist imagery.

"I was cancelled because I, a Palestinian, have been a vocal advocate against the actual extermination of my people," Abdel Fattah told The Guardian.

As more people continue to boycott the event, the festival has removed sections from its website, including lists of speakers and the programme schedule, stating the move reflects the number of recent withdrawals and revisions.