One of Australia’s largest literary events has been cancelled as the organiser struggles to cope with the mass withdrawal of authors and writers opposing a move to drop an anti-Israel critic from its line-up.
Abdel-Fattah has previously expressed heavy anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian views, including a belief in the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state.
The current decision has resulted in over 100 writers and authors dropping out over the course of the week, including former New Zealand Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who authored “A Different Kind of Power.”
Several Adelaide Festival board members have also left the collective, including board chair Tracey Whiting.
Organisers Cancel Event Altogether
In a statement on Jan. 13, the Board apologised for the division caused by its decision to withdraw Abdel‑Fattah’s invitation.“We recognise and deeply regret the distress this decision has caused to our audience, artists and writers, donors, corporate partners, the government and our own staff and people.
“We also apologise to Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented and reiterate this is not about identity or dissent but rather a continuing rapid shift in the national discourse around the breadth of freedom of expression in our nation following Australia’s worst terror attack in history.”
The Board also announced that that the Writers’ Week would be cancelled, with the resignation of all remaining board members.
“Many authors have since announced they will no longer appear at Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 and it is the Adelaide Festival’s position that the event can no longer go ahead as scheduled for this year. This is a deeply regrettable outcome,” it said.
“With this in mind all remaining members of the Adelaide Festival Board will today step down–with the exception of Adelaide City Council representative whose term expires on Feb. 2, 2026–to allow for an orderly transition to a new board to secure the success of the 2026 Adelaide Festival and beyond.”
In a brief statement provided to The Epoch Times on Jan. 13, the Adelaide Festival board said it was currently navigating a complex situation and had no comment.
Meanwhile, federal Labor Resources Minister Madeleine King has supported the move to ban Abdel-Fattah, saying she should never have been invited to the Adelaide Festival.
“The views that she has said in relation to wishing for the end of Israel, as well as some other pretty vile commentary doesn’t deserve an invitation to the Writers Festival.”
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and retired MP Bob Carr are still on the festival’s guest list.
Greens Senator Accuses Premier of Influencing Board
South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has joined commentary on the matter, saying the situation was an “unprecedented disaster.”She claimed that 180 participants had shunned the event and that the Adelaide Writers’ Week could not continue under current circumstances.
“The political pressure and influence that has been exerted over the board ... has thrown the entire event in to chaos,” Hanson-Young told ABC Radio. “It is undermining the artistic freedom of expression.”
The senator also criticised South Australian Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas for denying he influenced Abdel‑Fattah’s removal.
“The South Australian government is of course (one of the) the main funders and sponsors of the event, they have a government observer on the board.
“To pretend that somehow his strong expression of his view did not impact the board’s decision is just laughable and I don’t think anyone believes it.”
Malinauskas has rejected this view.
“Post-Bondi, when it was drawn to my attention that this woman was still on the program, I absolutely expressed my view and my concern around it,” he said, as reported by the ABC.
“But I also made clear in that same correspondence, crystal clear, that I'll be upholding the principle that I have upheld ever since I’ve been premier, and that is the absolute independence of the board to make its own decisions.”
