An Australian publisher has pulled a children's book, "Bila, A River Cycle," due to controversial comments made by its illustrator, Matt Chun, regarding the Bondi beach shooting. The University of Queensland Press (UQP) stated Chun's remarks violated its policy on antisemitism.
Chun had authored an essay criticizing public responses to the December attack, which killed 15 people. He questioned the "Australian left's" attempts to avoid accusations of antisemitism and criticized the support by Chabad, an organizing group, for Israel's military actions.
UQP called Chun's comments "abhorrent and hateful." The university expressed regret for the impact on the book's author, poet Jazz Money, stating they respect her and would welcome future collaboration.
Thousands of copies of the book have been printed and are being considered for "recycling options." Chun maintains the university has not specified which passages violated policy or publishing agreements.
The publisher's decision has led several prominent Australian writers, including Evelyn Araluen and Randa Abdel-Fattah, to sever ties with UQP, alleging political censorship and setting a precedent for book cancellations based on political urgency or sensitivity.