Free speech has limits
Adelaide Writers Week director Louise Adler says she is “surprised and disappointed” by law firm MinterEllison’s decision to remove its presence from the festival because they are advocates for free speech (“Law firm boycotts festival over inclusion of Palestinian authors”, 22/2).
The Writers Week has now been widely condemned for featuring at least two guests who have made several anti-Semitic statements. As well as her offensive comments about Ukraine, Susan Abulhawa calls Israelis Nazis and Israel an abomination that must be destroyed. As well as the tweets mentioned in the article, Mohammed El-Kurd has written in one poem about Israelis harvesting Palestinians’ organs.
Contrary to those who claim that slurs against Israelis can’t be anti-Semitic, calling Israelis Nazis, calling the Jewish state an abomination that must be destroyed or substituting the word “Israelis” for “Jews” in blood libels is very much anti-Semitism. MinterEllison’s decision shows they understand the difference between free speech and racism. It’s a shame Adler can’t.
Jamie Hyams, senior policy analyst, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, South Melbourne
Writers smeared
Palestinian writers Susan Abulhawa and Mohammed El-Kurd have been falsely defamed for alleged “anti-Semitism” and “hate speech” for criticising the century-long genocidal abuse of indigenous Palestinians by Zionists. Anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism.
Gideon Polya, Macleod
Courageous stand
Louise Adler must be congratulated for not caving into pressure to ban two Palestinian authors from the Adelaide Writers Week. She will no doubt come under much criticism as a result of her fair-mindedness. It is a shame she could not have an impact over the unjust changes being transacted through the Israeli parliament at present.
Rob Park, Surrey Hills
Letters appeared in The Age.