Arts festival faces exodus after dropping Palestinian-Australian author


By AGENCY
Randa Abdel-Fattah's legal representatives, Marque Lawyers, sent a letter to the Adelaide Festival on Sunday demanding it identify statements by the author that justified excluding her. Photo: UNSW Press Ltd

Australia's leading Adelaide Festival is battling a slew of artist withdrawals and board resignations after disinviting a Palestinian-Australian author citing "cultural sensitivities" raised by the Bondi Beach shooting.

Scores of artists have reportedly torn up their invitations, several board members - including the festival chair - have quit, and the blocked author's lawyers have demanded an explanation.

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