Adelaide Writers' Week director Louise Adler resigns after Randa Abdel-Fattah's removal

The director of Adelaide Writers' Week has resigned, after days of furore regarding the decision to cancel a scheduled appearance by a Palestinian-Australian author.

Louise Adler said the decision to cancel the appearance by Randa Abdel-Fattah was made by the Adelaide Festival board and came despite her "strongest opposition".

Since Abdel-Fattah's appearance was cancelled, more than 180 participants have chosen to boycott Writers' Week - throwing the future of the event and the broader Adelaide Festival into doubt.

In an open letter published in The Guardian, Adler said she could not be party to silencing writers.

She said Abdel-Fattah's appearance had been cancelled "after pressure from pro-Israel lobbyists, bureaucrats and opportunistic politicians".

Abdel-Fattah told ABC Radio Adelaide said Adler's resignation was "a tragedy".

"Louise is one of the most incredible directors and icons in Australia's cultural history and she has done such amazing work in that role," she said.

"I think it's a tragedy it has come to this, it could easily have gone the other way."

South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas has supported the board's decision to cancel the appearance, citing numerous anti-Israel and anti-Zionist social media posts by Abdel-Fattah.

The ABC has contacted the SA government and the Adelaide Festival for responses.

Abdel-Fattah was removed from the AWW line-up after a decision by the Adelaide Festival board.

Last week, the board said while it was not suggesting Abdel-Fattah or her writing had any connection to the Bondi attack, based on her past statements, it would "not be culturally sensitive" to go ahead with her appearance at the festival, scheduled to begin on February 28.

The list of authors who have withdrawn from the event includes former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Trent Dalton, Peter Greste, Hannah Kent and Evelyn Araluen.

- ABC