Sydney Writers’ Festival Stands Firm on Randa Abdel-Fattah Invitation Amidst Controversy
Sydney, Australia – February 18, 2026 – The Sydney Writers’ Festival has reaffirmed its invitation to Palestinian-Australian author Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah, despite recent controversy surrounding her views and the cancellation of the Adelaide Writers’ Week following a boycott. The decision comes even after criticism from Recent South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who described her inclusion in another regional festival as a “real head-scratcher.”
Adelaide Writers’ Week Cancellation and the Boycott
The 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week was cancelled after the Adelaide Festival board rescinded Abdel-Fattah’s invitation, deeming her appearance “not culturally sensitive” following the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting. This decision sparked a mass boycott, with approximately 180 participants withdrawing from the event. The director of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Louise Adler, also resigned in protest, stating she could not be party to silencing writers. All members of the Adelaide Festival board, except one, resigned as well. The Adelaide Festival issued an apology to Abdel-Fattah and invited her to speak at the 2027 event.
Sydney Festival Defends Freedom of Expression
Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb emphasized the festival’s commitment to freedom of expression, stating, “A festival like ours, which holds freedom of expression as a core value, is not going to be in the business of cancelling or censoring writers. Readers can make up their own minds about what they would like to attend. We know that without writers, there is no festival.”
Artistic Director Ann Mossop added that Abdel-Fattah is “a significant Sydney writer with a new book that speaks to the here and now,” and that the festival aims to reflect the diversity of Sydney’s communities.
Controversy Surrounding Abdel-Fattah’s Views
Abdel-Fattah has faced criticism for past social media posts. These include statements suggesting Zionists have “no claim to cultural safety” and criticizing institutions that prioritize “fragile feelings of Zionists.” She has stated that these comments were taken out of context. She also received scrutiny for a Facebook profile picture posted after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, depicting a paraglider with a Palestinian flag, stating she was unaware of the full extent of the attack at the time.
Support for the Sydney Festival’s Decision
Jennifer Mills, an organizer of a replacement event for the cancelled Adelaide Writers’ Week, expressed support for the Sydney festival’s stance, noting the “astonishing” public interest in hearing from Abdel-Fattah. A conversation between Abdel-Fattah and Adler in Adelaide sold out quickly, with a waiting list of 600 people. Similarly, Abdel-Fattah’s solo session in Newcastle is sold out, prompting organizers to schedule a second event.
Concerns and Political Pressure
NSW Premier Chris Minns voiced concerns about the potential for “notoriety” associated with inviting Abdel-Fattah, suggesting the Newcastle Writers’ Festival organizers were “crazy” to extend the invitation. Still, Mossop maintained that a writers’ festival provides a valuable opportunity for nuanced conversations on complex topics.
The Sydney Writers’ Festival stated it is in conversation with all stakeholders, including the government, but remains an independent organization. When questioned about the inclusion of Israeli or Zionist writers in the 2026 program, Mossop indicated that the program will reflect the diversity of writers and topics.
Ethical Considerations and Free Speech
Dr. Denis Muller from the University of Melbourne’s School of Culture and Communication argued that writers’ festivals have an ethical duty to resist external political pressures. He emphasized the importance of the “harm principle,” suggesting that censorship should only be considered if there is a reasonable likelihood of serious harm resulting from a writer’s statements. He added that banning books or authors can inadvertently increase their visibility and support.
Looking Ahead
The Sydney Writers’ Festival is scheduled to release its full program on March 10, 2026. The festival’s decision to stand by its invitation to Randa Abdel-Fattah underscores its commitment to freedom of expression and its willingness to host challenging conversations, even in the face of political pressure and public controversy.