Jacinda Ardern Withdraws from Adelaide Writers' Week Amid Controversy
Former NZ Premier's decision follows disinvitation of Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah and subsequent boycott.
Callum Smith
Jacinda Ardern has withdrawn from Adelaide Writers' Week.
More than 70 participants have joined a boycott of the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week in protest against the organiser's decision to rescind its invitation to Randa Abdel-Fattah.
Pulitzer winner Percival Everett and bestselling author Zadie Smith are among those who have confirmed they will not attend the festival.
The Adelaide Writers' Week is part of the Adelaide Festival, one of Australia's most prestigious arts events, held annually in South Australia's capital.
The festival's decision to disinvite Abdel-Fattah has drawn widespread criticism for undermining freedom of speech.
Adelaide drinks manufacturer Mischief Brew has withdrawn its sponsorship of the festival in support of Abdel-Fattah.
Former festival leaders have signed an open letter urging the board to reinstate the Palestinian writer.
Randa Abdel-Fattah is considering legal action and is calling for the board to reverse its decision.
The festival is scheduled to begin on February 28, and the Director of Writers' Week has already stood down.
The Adelaide Festival Board argued that programming Abdel-Fattah would lack cultural sensitivity following the Bondi Beach attack.
However, Abdel-Fattah claims her exclusion was a 'shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism'.
Norman Schueler of the Jewish Community Council for South Australia claims Abdel-Fattah's past statements were 'inflammatory, divisive, or disrespectful'.
Jewish groups also allege Abdel-Fattah stated that Zionists had 'no claim or right to cultural safety'.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate over the intersection of freedom of speech and cultural sensitivity.
The Adelaide Festival Board's decision faces broad condemnation from writers and artists alike.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also withdrawn from the festival.
Ardern’s exit follows the disinvitation of Randa Abdel-Fattah and the subsequent wave of boycotts.
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IsraelPoliticsAustraliaFree SpeechWorld News