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Palestinian-Australian Author to Headline Writers' Fest
Sydney Writers' Festival will feature Randa Abdel-Fattah in two sessions, upholding freedom of expression amid controversy after her removal from Adelaide Writers' Week sparked boycott and cancellation.
- On 2026-02-18, Sydney Writers' Festival confirmed Dr Randa Abdel‑Fattah will headline its 2026 program and said it would not rescind her invitation.
- Following the Bondi Beach shooting, the Adelaide Writers' Week board removed her after perceived pressure from the South Australian government, deeming her too culturally sensitive.
- The backlash unfolded as the Adelaide decision sparked a boycott by 180 writers, led to Louise Adler’s resignation and event cancellation, while a 1,200-seat Adelaide Town Hall event sold out in three days with a 600 waiting list.
- Organisers argued disinviting Randa Abdel-Fattah risked a national boycott and reputational damage larger than Adelaide's, defending freedom of expression and Sydney's diverse communities.
- Ahead of the March 10 announcement, the festival notes Dr Randa Abdel‑Fattah will feature in two sessions in May and has been invited to Adelaide Writers' Week next year.
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Israel Critic to Headline Sydney Writers’ Festival After Axing From Earlier Event
Australian-Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah will headline the Sydney Writers Festival, weeks after she was removed from the Adelaide Writers’ Festival amid concerns of her influence in the fallout of the Bondi terror attack. Abdel-Fattah is set to speak about her new novel, Discipline, at two of the Sydney festival’s events set for May this year. The writer had been part of the line-up for a separate writers’ event in Adelaide starting Feb.…
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
R 40%
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