An Australian writers’ festival cut a Palestinian author in the wake of a terror attack. Then it fell apart

Adelaide writers’ week was cancelled after the exclusion of Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from its lineup prompted more than 180 speakers to withdraw in protest. Composite: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/Andrew Beveridge/Guardian Design

When the board of a South Australian festival cut a prominent Palestinian Australian author from its lineup, citing her “past statements” in the context of the deadly Bondi terror attack, it no doubt braced itself for controversy.

What it may not have foreseen, however, is an implosion.