Writers withdraw from Bendigo Writers Festival over censorship concerns
Indigenous writer Evelyn Araluen is among the guests of the three-day event, which begins today, who have criticised the festival's code of conduct.
"I shall not be in Bendigo for the writers festival this weekend. I refuse to sign on to a code of conduct prohibiting critique of Israel and Zionism," she said.
A spokesperson for Ms Araluen said the festival's code of conduct "directly infringes on Evelyn's freedom of speech, her academic speech, her cultural duty as a First Nations woman and her obligation as someone with a large platform to speak out against oppression, which includes speaking out against Israel's ongoing UN-defined genocide of the Palestinian people".
Writer Randa Abdel-Fattah, whose most recent book 'Discipline' deals directly with issues surrounding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has also withdrawn from the festival.
"At a time when journalists are being permanently silenced by Israel's genocidal forces, it is incomprehensible that a writers' festival should also seek to silence Palestinian voices," she said.
Author Kate Mildenhall also said she had withdrawn over concerns about the code of conduct, in solidarity with other writers.
"Given that one of the threads of the conversation I was due to host at [Bendigo Writers Festival] included the topic of censorship, it is deeply regrettable that BWF has imposed a code of conduct that seeks to limit discussion," she said.
"I did not receive the code of conduct and many other writers may be in this position. I have been made aware of it, and my decision to withdraw is one of solidarity."
La Trobe University, which is involved in hosting some panels for the event, issued a statement saying it acknowledged the decision by some writers to withdraw.
"La Trobe University supports the BWF to have measures in place to ensure respectful exchange of views as well as community safety, and notes that codes of conduct are not unusual at writers' festivals," a spokesperson said.
"La Trobe University does not tolerate racism of any kind, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.
"La Trobe's commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech is consistent with our approach to creating safe environments for the free exchange of ideas."
The ABC has contacted the Bendigo Writers Festival for comment.
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