Sally Rooney’s support for Palestine Action prompts UK book withdrawal

Sally Rooney said that she can no longer sell her books in the UK due to her support for the banned protest group Palestine Action.Last year, the Irish author said that she would donate her royalties and earnings from her works to the group, which has a stated goal of "ending global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime".The ban, which began on July 5 2025, made membership of, or support for, the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.Sally Rooney cancelled a trip to the UK last year out of fear of arrestLast year, Rooney, author of Normal People and Conversations with Friends, cancelled a trip to London to accept the Sky Arts Award for literature out of fear of arrest.Her publisher, Faber, has determined it cannot sell her novels in Britain, with Rooney agreeing that further publication of her work could constitute a "serious criminal offence".In a statement to The Guardian, Rooney said: “In July 2025, the direct-action protest group Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.“The following month, I wrote an opinion piece expressing my intention to go on supporting Palestine Action, which is not a proscribed or otherwise prohibited group here in the Republic of Ireland.“As a result, the fulfilment of contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence.Sally Rooney agreed with her publisher Faber that she should no longer publish her work in the UK“After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK.“I have made every effort to be honest with the public about my beliefs and intentions, and I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences.”Faber has been contacted for comment.Palestine Action co-founder, Huda Ammori, said: “Sally Rooney being unable to publish her work in the UK marks a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action.Read More“A world-renowned author fearing arrest and being forced to remove her books from our bookstores, exposes the chilling consequences of this authoritarian law, which has been used to make over 3,700 arrests for simply holding seven word signs.Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne and Paul Mescal as Connell in the BBC Three adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal PeoplePA Media“The ban on Palestine Action was only introduced to serve the interests of the Israel lobby and the Israeli arms industry at the expense of the fundamental freedoms of British citizens.“Andy Burnham’s government has the power to overturn this authoritarian ban, but they are choosing instead to defend it in the Supreme Court.“This is a political choice, and one with profound consequences for freedom of expression in this country.”Rooney is also the author of the bestselling novels Beautiful World, Where Are You? and Intermezzo, and two of her novels have been adapted for television.A Home Office spokesperson said: “The proscription of Palestine Action followed a rigorous and evidence-based decision-making process, endorsed by Parliament.“The Court of Appeal found that Palestine Action carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those who took part in them and promoted the use of violence.“The proscription of Palestine Action does not affect lawful protest in support of the Palestinian cause, which remains a fundamental democratic right.”