The 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week has been cancelled. It follows  backlash over a decision to remove Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the festival program.

The Palestinian-Australian author and advocate was slated to speak as part of the Adelaide Festival Writers’ Week event next month. However, the festival board said her previous comments mean it would “not be culturally sensitive” to include her in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. 

Abdel-Fattah has been a vocal critic of Israel and accused of antisemitism, but the writer has called the decision a “blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism.” 

Politicians have weighed in, some supporting and some condemning the move, while dozens of writers and officials have cut ties with the festival. As the fallout from Abdel-Fattah’s removal continues, in today’s deep dive we’ll take you through this controversy from the beginning, and what its cancellation means for the future of the Adelaide Festival.

Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Lucy Tassell
Producer: Orla Maher

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The 2026 Adelaide Writers&rsquo; Week has been cancelled. It follows&nbsp; backlash over a decision to remove Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the festival program.
The Palestinian-Australian author and advocate was slated to speak as part of the Adelaide Festival Writers&rsquo; Week event next month. However, the festival board said her previous comments mean it would &ldquo;not be culturally sensitive&rdquo; to include her in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.&nbsp;
Abdel-Fattah has been a vocal critic of Israel and accused of antisemitism, but the writer has called the decision a &ldquo;blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Politicians have weighed in, some supporting and some condemning the move, while dozens of writers and officials have cut ties with the festival. As the fallout from Abdel-Fattah&rsquo;s removal continues, in today&rsquo;s deep dive we&rsquo;ll take you through this controversy from the beginning, and what its cancellation means for the future of the Adelaide Festival.
Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Lucy Tassell Producer: Orla Maher
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click &lsquo;follow&rsquo; on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.
The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.
Want more from TDA? <a href="https://thedailyaus.com.au/newsletter/">Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyaus">Subscribe to The Daily Aus&rsquo; YouTube Channel</a>
Have feedback for us? We&rsquo;re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you&rsquo;ve got feedback, we&rsquo;re all ears.&nbsp;<a href="https://thedailyaus.typeform.com/to/D0EhJI4S">Tell us here</a>.

This is a daily news podcast for young people in Australia. Join The Daily Aus team every weekday morning as we cover the news in your language. We’re a newsroom of young journalists, delivering news for young people.

TDA is completely independent. We are not owned by any larger media company.

This is a daily news podcast for young people in Australia. Join The Daily Aus team every weekday morning as we cover the news in your language. We’re a newsroom of young journalists, delivering news for young people.
TDA is completely independent. We are not owned by any larger media company.

This is a daily news podcast that breaks down issues important to young people in Australia.

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The Daily Aus podcast is a five-minute entree to your news diet, and is presented by co-founders Sam (27) and Zara (25). Join them every weekday morning as they cover the news of the day in your language and take a deep dive into the biggest story of the day so that you’re armed with talking points when you meet your blind date, get caught chatting in the coffee line or have to face the in-laws. Over 400,000 Australians get their news from The Daily Aus on Instagram, and now they're hitting your headphones.

Why a writers' festival was cancelled

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/eb587db5-7c75-4eff-84d2-b3d1005184b6/transcript