Sally Rooney withdraws books from UK sale over Palestine Action support

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 16:20 · Archive

Irish author Sally Rooney has withdrawn her books from the UK over her support for the banned group Palestine Action.

Irish author Sally Rooney has withdrawn her books from the UK market because of her support for Palestine Action, the direct-action protest group banned as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025. Rooney, known for novels including Normal People and Conversations With Friends, said that continuing to receive royalties from UK sales while publicly supporting the banned group would constitute a serious criminal offence under the Terrorism Act.

Support for organisations proscribed under the Terrorism Act carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. After the ban, Rooney wrote an opinion piece expressing her intention to continue supporting Palestine Action, which remains legal and unproscribed in her native Republic of Ireland. She subsequently cancelled a planned trip to the UK to collect an award, citing fear of arrest.

Rooney's publisher Faber, after consultation with the author, determined it could no longer supply her work within the UK. In a statement, Rooney said she had made every effort to be honest about her beliefs and was prepared to accept the consequences. She had previously pledged to donate earnings from her books and BBC adaptations of her novels to Palestine Action.

How it is being reported

• Sally Rooney books withdrawn in UK over Palestine Action supportThe Irish writer is best known for novels such as Normal People, Intermezzo and Conversations With Friends.BBC News · 14 Oct, 17:00
• Sally Rooney’s books withdrawn from UK over her support of Palestine ActionThe author has been vocal in her support of the group, which was banned in July 2025.Evening Standard · 14 Oct, 15:59
• Sally Rooney says she can no longer sell books in the UK because of Palestine Action supportIrish writer of Normal People says she can no longer receive royalties from British sales because of her support for group Sally Rooney has said she is being forced to withdraw her books from sale in the UK because of her support for the banned organisation Palestine Action. The Irish novelist, whose books include Normal People and Conversations With Friends, said her public support for the direct action group meant she could no longer receive royalties from UK sales. Continue reading...Guardian World · 14 Oct, 14:06

In this story: Sally Rooney · Palestine Action · Faber · United Kingdom · Republic of Ireland

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