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What the Adelaide Writers Festival saga reveals about antisemitism and artistic freedom

Randa Abdel-Fattah

Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah Credit: Macquarie University/PR IMAGE/AAP Image

The 2026 Adelaide Writers Festival collapsed after the board dropped Palestinian Australian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, triggering mass boycotts, resignations and a national argument over artistic freedom and cultural safety. Arts policy expert Noe Harsel and writer Joshua Dabelstein reflect on cancellation culture, its impact on antisemitism and, what a truly open, safe conversation might look like.


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By Mariel Olenski

Source: SBS


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The 2026 Adelaide Writers Festival collapsed after the board dropped Palestinian Australian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, triggering mass boycotts, resignations and a national argument over artistic freedom and cultural safety. Arts policy expert Noe Harsel and writer Joshua Dabelstein reflect on cancellation culture, its impact on antisemitism and, what a truly open, safe conversation might look like.



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