Sally Rooney's books to be withdrawn from sale in UK over Palestine Action support
Bestselling Irish author Sally Rooney is being forced to withdraw her books from sale in the UK because she has expressed support for direct action group Palestine Action, which the British government banned as a terrorist organisation last year.
Rooney said after Palestine Action was banned that she would use proceeds from her book sales to support it, which would constitute a terrorism offence under UK law.
The novelist said on Wednesday: "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."
Rooney added: "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.
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"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."
Rooney cancelled a trip to England last September to collect a literary award over the fear of being arrested.
Her books Normal People, Conversations With Friends and Beautiful World were bestsellers in the UK.
'To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher'
– Faber, Rooney's publisher
Both Normal People and Conversations With Friends were made into television shows by the BBC.
Rooney's publisher, Faber, said: "Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work. To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.
"As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format. We remain the proud publisher of her remarkable body of work, which we will continue to sell in other territories."
'Disgraceful attack on freedom of expression'
Keir Starmer's Labour government proscribed Palestine Action in July 2025, meaning that expressing support for or membership of the direct action group – which aimed to cause property damage to companies manufacturing weapons that would be sold to Israel – is a criminal offence that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
The ban has been widely denounced as draconian by human rights organisations. Thousands of people have been arrested since it came into effect for holding up placards expressing support for the group.
Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, is appealing a Court of Appeal decision earlier this year which upheld the proscription as lawful.
The case is due to be heard at the Supreme Court later this year.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said last month that Andy Burnham's government is “looking at” whether the ban on Palestine Action was politically sensible, arguing that the government had not intended for mass arrests to take place by implementing the proscription.
He argued: "I don’t think anyone’s intent was to have those people criminalised, but obviously the Supreme Court has got to look at this issue, and obviously it’s something we keep looking at as government."
Kerry Moscogiuri, the chief executive of Amnesty International UK, told the Guardian: "Whatever one’s views on Palestine Action, we should all be concerned when laws intended to combat terrorism end up silencing artistic freedom and the ability to engage in peaceful political dissent.
"Writers should not find their books disappearing from shelves because of their political beliefs. Nor should people have to choose between expressing their conscience and pursuing their livelihoods.
"Sally Rooney’s willingness to accept the personal consequences of her convictions deserves recognition.
"There is a real danger that others, seeing the price she has paid, will decide they cannot afford to speak out."
Labour MP Ian Byrne posted on X that when he voted against the proscription of Palestine Action, he and many others "warned of the draconian consequences it would bring".
He said that since then, thousands have been arrested and criminalised "simply for holding a sign".
Byrne added: "Now this injustice against one of the finest writers of her generation.
"An utterly disgraceful attack on freedom of expression. This ban must be overturned."
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