Author Karen Wyld stripped of Queensland writing fellowship over Hamas ‘martyr’ posts
Karen Wyld who labelled the Hamas architect of the October 7 attacks a ‘martyr’ has had her prestigious taxpayer-funded fellowship rescinded.
An author who labelled the Hamas architect of the October 7 attacks a “martyr” has had her prestigious taxpayer-funded fellowship rescinded after the Queensland government pressured State Library organisers not to reward “hate and division”.
Author Karen Wyld was one of two female writers set to receive the black & write! Writing Fellowship on Tuesday evening at a ceremony hosted by the Queensland State Library. But she was stripped of the $15,000 prize hours before accepting the award after Premier David Crisafulli and Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek wrote to the Library’s chairwoman and chief executive on Monday voicing their concerns.
Wyld made several posts in support of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the militant group’s former leader and strategist behind October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, in which 1200 people were murdered and which kicked off the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In the days following Sinwar’s killing by Israeli forces last October, Wyld wrote, “Vale to the martyr Sinwar. Resisting colonisation until his last breath, fighting the genocidal oppressors like a hero, sacrificing his life for love of his people and ancestral land”.
She also reposted a “tribute for freedom fighter Yahya Sinwar” by Palestinian American author and freedom activist Susan Abulhawa.
Wyld did not respond to questions from The Australian.
She posted on X on Tuesday that State Library chief executive Vicki McDonald had informed her at 10.30am that the fellowship and award money had been rescinded. The author said she understood the decision was made at 7.30pm on Monday after organisers received the government’s stern letter.
“Having this opportunity taken away from me is a big hit,” Wyld said.
“But I’ll not be silenced. Genocide, apartheid, forced starvation, murdering children are horrific crimes against humanity. Shame on anyone who refuses to condemn such brutality towards Palestinian people.
“I’m a broke nobody who detests genocide, and those attacking me are privileged cowards.”
Wyld, a descendant of the Martu people of Western Australia, has written more than a dozen works of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Fellowship judges described her work of fiction, Whichway Shimmering Dust, about the generational impact of forced child removals, as “an ambitious, active work with a lot of heart”.
Funding for the black & write! Writing Fellowship comes from federal body Creative Australia. Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke “unreservedly condemned” Wyld’s statements.
Mr Langbroek said it was important such fellowships exist to further the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but not if the award is used as a platform for views “fundamentally at odds with Australian values”.
“There is no place in our libraries, at Music Awards or in any publicly funded venue for the glorification of terrorism, and that is why the Premier and I have been unequivocal in stating that there’s no place for hate, discrimination or racism, including anti-Semitism in Queensland.”
Ms McDonald said fellowship recipients are judged solely on the merit of manuscripts submitted to judges.
“Regrettably, media coverage and commentary today in relation to the personal views of the recommended recipient has overshadowed the intent of the awards. This has significantly impacted the individual artists and people involved,” she said.
“The State Library will undertake an independent review of its suite of awards and fellowships we administer, with a focus on balancing freedom of expression and its role as a state government-funded cultural institution.”
Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg said organisations must do their due diligence on award nominees before making decisions involving government funds.
“It’s deeply troubling for our community when someone who uses their platform to spread the inflammatory and divisive rhetoric, particularly against Israel, a Jewish country … be honoured with public funding,” Mr Steinberg said.
“It’s not about free speech, this is about vilification.”
Wyld was awarded the South Australia Literary First Nations Fellowship in 2024 and the 2022 Tangkanungku Pintyanthi Literature Fellowship.
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