Palestinian Group Criticizes Sydney Library for Removing Gaza Book
A Palestinian advocacy group has criticized Sydney’s Waverley Library after it withdrew a book on Israel’s war in Gaza from its shelves, warning that libraries have a duty to provide access to works that may challenge or discomfort readers.
Waverley Library in Bondi Junction pulled “How to Sell a Genocide” by US media critic Adam Johnson pending a review, following a complaint about the book, The Guardian reported. The book had reportedly been displayed on the library’s “new release/hot item” shelf when it drew the attention of a survivor of December’s attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, which killed fifteen people.
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, condemned the removal, telling The Guardian that libraries have a responsibility to give their communities access to a broad range of published works, including uncomfortable ones. He said the term “genocide” was meant to describe what Palestinians have experienced, not to cause offense, and warned that history shows the dangers of banning books.
Author Adam Johnson also pushed back, rejecting the idea that calling Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide is a fringe view. He argued the term reflects a mainstream conclusion among human rights experts and questioned whether officials would apply the same standard to pro-Israel books that might upset other community members. Israel has consistently denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
The decision also drew criticism from the Jewish Council of Australia. Executive member Bart Shteinman called the removal “deeply alarming,” saying public libraries should represent a range of views and topics.
Waverley Council said the book was pulled for review and that it may introduce stricter oversight of book selection going forward. The move comes after New South Wales amended its Library Act earlier this year to strengthen protections against campaigns to remove books from public libraries. Shteinman said that if the council opts to remove the book permanently, it would need to explain how that decision aligns with the updated law.
Pluto Press, the book’s publisher, also criticized the removal. Senior commissioning editor David Shulman said the book addresses a matter of significant public interest and should remain widely accessible through public libraries.
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