Adelaide Writers Week Cancelled
Writers withdraw to support Randa Abdel-Fattah who has stated “If you are a Zionist you have no claim or right to cultural safety"
Adelaide Writers Week (AWW) has been cancelled. The decision came on Tuesday soon after Director Lousie Adler resigned.
AWW was engulfed in controversy, following its board uninviting Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah. The decision to exclude Abdel-Fattah was made on the basis that her inclusion would “not be culturally sensitive” following the Bondi massacre.
“While we do not suggest in any way that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s 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,” the board stated.
Abdel-Fattah has previously posted, “If you are a Zionist you have no claim or right to cultural safety. And it is my duty as somebody who fights all forms of oppression and violence to deny you a safe space to espouse your Zionist racist ideology.” In another she stated, “To hell with you all. Every last Zionist. May you never know a second’s peace in your sadistic miserable lives.”
Abdel-Fattah claimed her removal was a “shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship” and called her supporters to boycott the AWW. Over 180 have reportedly withdrawn, four of its board members have quit, as well as Adler.
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