Israel–Hamas War Debate Engulfs Writers Festival as Another Author Joins Mass Walkout

A week after 12 literary judges withdrew in Queensland, around 30 authors and academics in the literature field have resigned from a Victorian event.

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A published Australian author has become the latest literary figure to resign from extracurricular duties in her field as tensions brew in Australia over the Israel-Hamas war.

Kirstin Ferguson has authored three books on the topic of leadership: “Women Kind,” “Head and Heart,” and “Blindspotting.”

The writer and academic was set to participate in this year’s Bendigo Writers Festival (BWF) in Victoria, but announced on Aug. 14 that she would be withdrawing from the event.

The Epoch Times understands participants in the festival were required to adhere to a La Trobe University code of conduct at the university-facilitated event.

The code of conduct includes adhering to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, with the Jerusalem Declaration on anti-Semitism as a guide.

Around 30 members of the 93-person line-up planned for the festival pulled out in response.

The action caused several events in the multi-day event to be called off.

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In explaining her decision, Ferguson said she had done so in order to support “protecting any person’s right to speak on topics important to them,” even if they may be considered inflammatory.

“I was invited to appear at BWF in connection with my latest book, Blindspotting, where I advocate for leaders and communities to engage with intellectual humility, curiosity, and flexibility,” she said.

“This requires making space for uncomfortable ideas, robust discussion, and respectful disagreement.

“The conditions outlined in the code of conduct risk silencing those conversations and set a precedent I believe is inconsistent with the role of writers and thinkers in public life.”

The IRHA definition of anti-Semitism includes several clauses, including holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the state of Israel and denying Jewish people the right to self-determination by claiming the existence of Israel as a racist endeavour.

The Jerusalem definition includes similar clauses, but also delves into more detail such as urging against requiring Jewish people to publicly condemn Israel or Zionism.

“I fully respect the festival’s right to set its own standards and I value the work it does to bring writers and audiences together,” Ferguson said.

“However, in this instance, I cannot, in good conscience, participate under conditions that may prevent any participant from engaging in open, honest, and necessary dialogue.”

State Library Board Members Resign

In a separate incident, 12 members of the State Library of Queensland’s Literary Board withdrew after Indigenous Australian author and pro-Palestine advocate Karen Wyld had a $15,000 taxpayer-funded bursary rescinded in May.

The board members made their announcement earlier in August.

It is understood the State Library of Queensland had received a letter from Premier David Crisafulli and Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek expressing concerns around a social media post by Wyld in October, immediately following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Israel-Hamas war.

“Vale to the martyr Sinwar,” she wrote on X on Oct. 18, 2024.

“Resisting colonisation until his last breath, fighting the genocidal oppressors like a hero, sacrificing his life for love of his people and ancestral land.”

Hamas is a listed terror organisation in Australia.

Wyld responded on X by saying the loss of the writing fellowship was “a big hit.”