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Bondi library returns book How to Sell a Genocide to shelves after State Library ‘outlines the law’
Developing
JWire said a survivor of December’s antisemitic attack at Bondi , during which 15 people were killed, saw How to Sell a Genocide on the “new release / hot item” shelf and wrote on Facebook that the display was distressing for survivors and bereaved families.
The president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni, said: “That a single complaint was enough to trigger the removal of a book about the genocide in Palestine should concern every Australian who values free inquiry and open debate.
The State Library had written to the council reminding it of its obligations under guidelines issued by the Library Council of NSW and the Library Act “which was amended in 2026 to reinforce their independence to develop and maintain collections”.
Waverley library removed the book “for review ” earlier this month after the Jewish news outlet JWire reported it had approached the council. “The State Library of NSW supports free and equitable access to information,” a spokesperson said.
In June, an independent UN inquiry found Israel continued to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza. She said in a social media post on Thursday that Waverley library’s manager had notified staff that was happening.
Multiple human rights groups have said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, which Israel denies.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Waverley library removed the book “for review ” earlier this month after the Jewish news outlet JWire reported it had approached the council.
- JWire said a survivor of December’s antisemitic attack at Bondi , during which 15 people were killed, saw How to Sell a Genocide on the “new release / hot item” shelf and wrote on Facebook that the display was…
- The State Library had written to the council reminding it of its obligations under guidelines issued by the Library Council of NSW and the Library Act “which was amended in 2026 to reinforce their independence to…
- “The State Library of NSW supports free and equitable access to information,” a spokesperson said.
- She said in a social media post on Thursday that Waverley library’s manager had notified staff that was happening.
- The president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni, said: “That a single complaint was enough to trigger the removal of a book about the genocide in Palestine should concern every Australian who…
- Multiple human rights groups have said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, which Israel denies.
- In June, an independent UN inquiry found Israel continued to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza.
Sources
- The Guardianlink