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<\/a><\/p>\nPalestinian-Australian Author Randa Abdel-Fattah speaking on an Australian Broadcasting Corporation panel about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on May 27, 2021. (Screenshot)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The decision by the organizers of Adelaide Writers\u2019 Week to disinvite Palestinian Australian author, lawyer and activist Randa Abdel-Fattah comes weeks after two gunmen motivated by \u201cIslamic State ideology\u201d opened fire on a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, killing 15 and injuring dozens more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhilst we do not suggest in any way that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah\u2019s 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,\u201d the festival\u2019s board\u2019s statement read.<\/p>\n
While it was unclear what the festival\u2019s organizers were referring to, in the wake of the Bondi massacre, Abdel-Fattah made a post in the wake of the Bondi massacre decrying those who she said were \u201cquickly surrendering to the agenda of those who are using a horrific act of antisemitism to entrench anti-Palestinian racism.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow is the time to insist on principles not abandon them,\u201d she in a Dec. 17 post on Instagram, three days after the attack. \u201cTo see through the shameful and dangerous political exploitation of the murder of 16 people by Zionists, white supremacists, the far right to advance their racist, violent, and oppressive agendas.\u201d<\/p>\n
The festival\u2019s organizers wrote that the decision will \u201clikely be disappointing to many in our community,\u201d adding that they expected it would be \u201clabelled and will cause discomfort and pressure to other participants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, since the organizer\u2019s decision was announced on Thursday, nearly 50 writers have announced that they would boycott the festival, which is scheduled to take place from Feb. 28 to March 5, according to The Guardian.<\/p>\n
Among the authors who have announced their resignation from the event are British author Zadie Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner Percival Everett, former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and Russian-Jewish writer M. Gessen, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.<\/p>\n
Jewish Community Council of South Australia public and government liaison Norman Schueler told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he had written a letter to the organizers calling for Abdel-Fattah\u2019s removal. (The progressive Jewish Council of Australia condemned Abdel-Fattah\u2019s removal.)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe board [has] completely, appropriately disinvited her and personally, I\u2019m very, very surprised it appears a large cohort of people have decided to support her,\u201d Schueler told the outlet.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Abdel-Fattah posted a statement on X where she decried the festival\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship and a despicable attempt to associate me with the Bondi massacre,\u201d she said. \u201cAfter two years of Isrel\u2019s live-streamed genocide of Palestinians, Australian arts and cultural institutions continue to reveal their utter contempt and inhumanity towards Palestinians. The only Palestinians they will tolerate are silent and invisible ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abdel-Fattah told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she hoped that the festival would reconsider its decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like an apology, I would like a redemption in terms of the retraction of that statement, the reinstatement of my invitation and steps by the board to actually hold itself accountable to community for what it has done here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n