A major Australian cultural festival has been thrown into chaos following the removal of a well-known Australian-Palestinian author from its lineup, sparking widespread outrage and a wave of withdrawals from participating writers, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the festival's Writers' Week segment.

The Adelaide Festival's board announced the decision to drop Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, a vocal critic of Israel, from the Writers' Week program, citing concerns over "sensitivities" in the wake of a shooting incident at a Jewish festival in Bondi Beach in December, which left 15 people injured and was allegedly carried out by gunmen inspired by the Islamic State militant group.

While the Adelaide Festival's board clarified that Dr Abdel-Fattah was not implicated in the Bondi Beach incident, they determined that her past remarks made her participation in the festival "culturally insensitive" at this time, prompting the decision to exclude her from the lineup.

Dr Abdel-Fattah denounced the move as a clear example of "anti-Palestinian racism and censorship", and strongly objected to any attempt to associate her with the Bondi Beach attack, describing such links as "despicable".

The backlash against the festival intensified in the subsequent days, with numerous writers who were scheduled to participate withdrawing from the event, which also showcases a range of music, dance, theatre, and other cultural performances.

The list of supporters had grown to 180 by Tuesday, with notable figures such as former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, author Zadie Smith, Australian writer Helen Garner, and novelist Kathy Lette lending their names to the cause.

A significant shake-up occurred over the weekend, with four out of eight board members, including the chair, submitting their resignations without providing a reason. Additionally, the director of the Writers' Week, who had extended an invitation to Abdel-Fattah, also stepped down on Tuesday.

Louise Adler, whose parents survived the Holocaust, expressed her concerns that artistic expression has faced increasing scrutiny since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict, stating that she could not contribute to the suppression of writers' voices.

In an article published in the Guardian Australia, Adler emphasized the importance of literature, stating that the work of writers should be valued, even when it presents challenging or uncomfortable ideas.

Later that day, the board issued a new statement, offering an apology to Abdel-Fattah for the manner in which the decision was communicated, and announcing that the Writers' Week event could no longer proceed as planned.

The organisation has acknowledged the significant upset caused by its decision and expressed profound regret over the matter.

In a bid to ensure the festival's continued success, the majority of the Adelaide Festival board members will resign, with one exception, the organisation stated, aiming to safeguard the event's future.

The controversy has resulted in the festival being left without a board just weeks before its scheduled start, potentially triggering legal proceedings and rekindling debates in Australia regarding artistic freedom.

Abdel-Fattah, a multifaceted figure with a background in law, academia, and literature, was initially invited to participate in the festival to engage in a discussion about her recently released novel, Discipline, which explores the consequences of silence and inaction.

Abdel-Fattah has faced criticism in the past for her views, including a statement suggesting that Zionists do not have a legitimate claim to cultural protection, as well as a 2024 social media post advocating for the dismantling of what she referred to as a "murderous Zionist colony", in reference to the state of Israel.

An image posted on social media by Abdel-Fattah in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has sparked controversy. The picture showed a person parachuting with a Palestinian flag, which drew attention due to the fact that Hamas fighters used paragliders to breach Israel's security fence during the attack, resulting in significant loss of life in civilian areas.

The attack on 7 October 2023 resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities. The subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza has led to a substantial number of casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 71,419 deaths since the start of the operation.

In an interview with the Australian broadcaster ABC, Abdel-Fattah acknowledged posting the image, explaining that she did so before being fully aware of the attack's severity and consequences.

Abdel-Fattah stated, "I was not informed about the scope of the attacks or the situation on the ground at the time… I do not condone the killing of civilians," emphasizing her lack of knowledge about the events as they unfolded.

Abdel-Fattah has faced public scrutiny in the past, including calls from opposition politicians and some prominent Jewish Australians to revoke her research funding in 2024. Following a letter from Education Minister Jason Clare, her funding was temporarily suspended pending an investigation into allegations of misusing the grant, but she was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing last month.

The Jewish Community Council for South Australia, represented by Norman Schueler, recently submitted a letter to the Adelaide Festival board, advocating for the removal of Abdel-Fattah from the event.

In a statement to the Adelaide Advertiser, Schueler expressed support for the decision to remove Abdel-Fattah, citing its potential to enhance the festival's cohesion. He also commented on the subsequent withdrawals, suggesting that those who dropped out were implicitly endorsing Abdel-Fattah's views, including her stance on Israel.

Peter Malinauskus, the Premier of South Australia, whose government provides significant funding for the festival, publicly stated his strong support for the decision to exclude Abdel-Fattah, emphasizing that he had clearly communicated his concerns to the board prior to their decision.

During an interview with the ABC on Monday, Malinauskus clarified that, although he had shared his opinion with the board, he did not influence their decision and had not threatened to withdraw funding or take disciplinary action against anyone involved. He also denied that his stance was swayed by Jewish lobby groups.

In response to the board's decision, Adler stated that it was made despite their strong objections. Adler criticized the board's lack of experience in the arts and their failure to consider the moral implications of restricting free speech, suggesting that they had succumbed to pressure from politicians and organized letter-writing campaigns.

Abdel-Fattah expressed her concerns about the board's reasoning, stating that the emphasis on community cohesion can be viewed with skepticism. She noted that historically, art has been used to promote social cohesion, which can be a form of propaganda.

Following the cancellation of her appearance, Abdel-Fattah criticized Australian arts and cultural institutions, accusing them of showing a lack of humanity and disregard for the Palestinian community.

According to Abdel-Fattah, the only Palestinians that are accepted by these institutions are those who remain silent and invisible, implying a lack of tolerance for Palestinian voices and perspectives.

This is not the first instance where Abdel-Fattah has been involved in a controversy surrounding a writers' festival, highlighting a pattern of challenges she has faced in her public appearances.

In August of the previous year, the Bendigo Writers Festival introduced a code of conduct just two days before its scheduled start, which prohibited speakers from using language or discussing topics that could be deemed inflammatory, divisive, or disrespectful.

Following a walkout led by Abdel-Fattah and other individuals, who expressed concerns that the event could stifle discussion about the Israel-Gaza conflict, approximately one-third of the program was cancelled.

Abdel-Fattah has faced criticism from some media outlets and Malinauskus, who accuse her of inconsistency, citing her previous efforts to exclude New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman from the Adelaide festival two years prior.

A letter signed by Abdel-Fattah and nine other academics was sent to the festival board after Friedman published a column that drew comparisons between Middle Eastern players and animals, such as caterpillars, wasps, and spiders.

Malinauskus stated, "After receiving correspondence from Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, the festival removed a pro-Israeli speaker; two years later, it's reasonable to expect the board to apply the same standards, regardless of what one calls it."

Abdel-Fattah responded to the accusations of hypocrisy in a statement to the BBC, explaining that Friedman's article had likened Arab and Muslim nations to insects and vermin in need of eradication, coinciding with a time when dehumanizing language was being used to justify violence in Gaza.

A statement from Abdel-Fattah noted that her presence at the event was cancelled due to concerns that her Palestinian identity would be perceived as 'culturally insensitive' in the context of the Bondi incident.

Abdel-Fattah clarified that the decision to remove Friedman was not made at her request. According to a letter from the board, dated February 2024, Friedman's cancellation was attributed to "last-minute scheduling issues", despite initial plans for his attendance. The board emphasized that cancelling a writer is a serious matter.

Abdel-Fattah argued that if Friedman's cancellation was indeed a quiet decision, it highlights the disparity in treatment, given the public manner in which her own cancellation was handled.

The BBC has reached out to Friedman for a response to these developments.

Adler reported that a significant number of writers, at least 180, have withdrawn from the festival, severely impacting its programming. While some of these writers may not necessarily share Abdel-Fattah's views, they have expressed support for her right to express herself freely.

A decade after being imprisoned in Egypt in a case widely condemned by human rights groups, Australian journalist Peter Greste penned an opinion piece for the Guardian Australia, expressing concerns that the exclusion of a particular individual would hinder the ability to engage in challenging discussions and inadvertently aid extremist agendas.

In a post on Instagram, author Kathy Lette advocated for trusting audiences to form their own opinions about all speakers, emphasizing the importance of defending free speech, particularly in the face of rising authoritarianism worldwide.

Former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr, a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, publicly supported the decision to exclude the individual, citing concerns that some of their past statements may have been detrimental to the Palestinian cause, and deeming the decision reasonable in light of recent events, including the Bondi attack.

Carr noted that the Adelaide writers' festival has a strong track record of amplifying Palestinian voices, describing its reputation on this matter as "unimpeachable".

Carr was among the few festival speakers who openly endorsed the board's decision, providing a notable show of support.

A video posted by former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis on X showed him ripping up an invitation to speak at a festival, alleging that it had been compromised by external influences, specifically citing the "Zionist lobby" as a factor in its purported downfall.

Dr Evelyn Araluen, a renowned First Nations poet, expressed her disappointment at the Australian arts sector's decision, characterizing it as an "absurd and irrational" concession to the demands of a foreign state implicated in human rights concerns.

Dr Araluen further emphasized that excluding Palestinians from public discourse in Australia would not effectively address antisemitism, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach.

Sarah Ferguson, an ABC journalist and presenter who was scheduled to moderate conversations with Tina Brown and Jacinda Ardern – events that are now cancelled – praised the festival for fostering a space where diverse perspectives and difficult topics could be discussed, arguing that it deserves a place in Australia's cultural landscape.

In a recent statement, the board clarified that the issue at hand is not about identity or dissent, but rather the evolving national conversation around freedom of expression, particularly in the context of Australia's response to its most severe terrorist attack on record.

According to the statement, the priority now shifts to reconstituting the board and guaranteeing the success of the Adelaide Festival, thereby preserving the state's extensive cultural heritage.

The statement also emphasized a commitment to restoring relationships with the artistic community and regaining their trust.

Abdel-Fattah has publicly expressed her skepticism regarding the board's apology, characterizing it as insincere; she believes the board is sorry only for the manner in which her cancellation was announced, rather than the actual decision to cancel her invitation.

Abdel-Fattah further stated that the Bondi incident does not justify silencing advocacy against the occupation and persecution of her people, deeming such a expectation to be unreasonable and unjust.

Abdel-Fattah's lawyer has submitted a formal inquiry to the board, seeking clarification on which specific statements led to her uninvitation, and has informed the BBC that no decision has been made yet regarding potential legal action.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Abdel-Fattah concluded by expressing her fatigue, and shifted the focus away from herself, stating that the ongoing plight of Palestinians is being overshadowed, and emphasized that the true issue at hand is the continued genocide of Palestinians.