How to Sell a Genocide has been removed from a library near Bondi – but libraries represent freedom of thought
It’s a library’s duty to balance representing its community with providing a broad range of books – including those that may challenge or discomfort.
Sydney's Waverley Council has temporarily removed the book "How to Sell a Genocide" from its library shelves in Bondi Junction, following a complaint from a survivor of the December 2025 massacre. The book, authored by media analyst Adam Johnson, provides a critical analysis of mainstream media and its alleged role in shaping public perceptions of the war in Gaza.
The council received multiple complaints about the book, which has led to its review. However, the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni, emphasized that it is the library's duty to provide access to a diverse range of works, even those that may challenge or discomfort readers. The council stated that book curation is outsourced, and regular reviews of the library's collection are standard practice.
Despite the recent antisemitic attack on Bondi Beach, leaving 15 people dead, the book's content is based on thorough documentation of over 12,000 articles and 5,000 television clips. The International Association of Genocide Scholars considers the Israeli war on Gaza to meet the legal definition of genocide, and most major human rights organizations and NGOs agree.
The removal of this book from the library's collection would contradict the library's aim to cater to a wide range of interests and tastes, including non-fiction works on various subjects.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
