Adelaide Writers' Week, one of Australia's most prominent cultural events, has been thrown into turmoil after the festival board removed Australian-Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah from its lineup. The decision followed concerns about 'sensitivities' after a shooting at a Jewish festival, though the board clarified Abdel-Fattah was not connected to the incident. Abdel-Fattah condemned her exclusion as censorship and anti-Palestinian racism, sparking a wave of criticism and withdrawals from fellow authors.

Within days, the festival saw a mass exodus, with over 180 writers, including high-profile figures such as Jacinda Ardern and Zadie Smith, pulling out in protest. The controversy led to the resignation of half the festival's board, including its chair, and the departure of the Writers' Week director. Critics argue the move undermines freedom of speech and sets a troubling precedent for cultural events in Australia.