Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah invited back to Adelaide Writers’ Week in 2027

The Adelaide Festival Corporation has reversed its ban of Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah, inviting her to return to Writers’ Week in 2027.

Dr Abdel-Fattah was dropped from this year’s line-up over remarks she had previously made about Israel and the October 7, 2023 attack.

The fallout from the decision resulted in dozens of writers pull out of the event and board members resigning, along with the festival’s director Louise Adler.

The 2026 Adelaide Writer’s Week was later cancelled.

On Thursday, the Adelaide Festival Corporation published apologies to Dr Abdel-Fattah and Ms Adler and retracted an earlier statement explaining a decision to exclude the academic “because it would be culturally insensitive to allow her to participate.”

“We have reversed the decision and will reinstate Dr Abdel-Fattah’s invitation to speak at the next Adelaide Writers’ Week in 2027,” a spokesman said.

“We apologise to Dr Abdel-Fattah unreservedly for the harm the Adelaide Festival Corporation has caused her.

“Intellectual and artistic freedom is a powerful human right. Our goal is to uphold it, and in this instance Adelaide Festival Corporation fell well short.”

Dr Abdel-Fattah accepted the apology as an acknowledgment to speak about the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people.

“I accept this apology as a vindication of our collective solidarity and mobilisation against anti-Palestinian racism, bullying and censorship,” she said.

“I accept this unreserved apology as acknowledgment of the harm inflicted on our communities.

“I will consider the Board’s invitation to participate in 2027 Adelaide Writers’ Week at the appropriate time but would be there in a heartbeat if Louise Adler was the director again.”

The statement said Ms Adler worked hard to curate an incredible program for 2026 that was cancelled as a result of the events that unfolded over the last week.

“We acknowledge the principled stand she took in the extremely difficult decision to resign from her role as director,” the state read.

“Louise is a revered figure of Australian literature who we hold in the highest regard.

“Her contributions to, and stewardship of, Adelaide Writers’ Week in the time she has been the director (2023-2025) have been outstanding.

“We wish also to convey the warm affection of the staff for Louise and their gratitude for her strong convictions.”