Sally Rooney's books withdrawn from UK sale over Palestine Action support

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 22 Oct, 02:15 · Archive

Author Sally Rooney's books are being withdrawn from UK bookshops after she said she would donate her earnings to Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation.

Irish novelist Sally Rooney's books are being withdrawn from UK bookshops after she said she would donate her earnings to support Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation under UK law. Rooney previously stated she would use proceeds from her books and their BBC adaptations to fund the group. Following the announcement, sales of her existing novels shot up nearly 300 per cent in a week as readers rushed to buy copies before they disappeared from shelves.

Rooney, 35, told the BBC that further publication of her work could constitute a "serious criminal offence". She agreed with her publisher Faber that supplying her books to UK retailers should cease. Palestine Action was banned on 5 July 2025, with membership or support punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Faber said the withdrawal stemmed from circumstances where it "cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work" and continuing sales would be an "unconscionable situation for a publisher".

Independent bookshops reported immediate sell-outs. Bookmarked in Bristol had three Rooney novels in stock when Faber announced the withdrawal; all three sold within hours. The shop's general manager expressed concern about the precedent being set, saying "we're becoming increasingly used to seeing this type of stuff happen in other countries, but this is happening on our doorstep."

Hundreds of prominent writers, actors and activists have signed an open letter in support of Rooney. Signatories include Zadie Smith, Arundhati Roy, Naomi Klein, actors Paul Mescal, Susan Sarandon and Tilda Swinton, and broadcaster Gary Lineker. The letter, appearing on the cover of the New Statesman, describes the withdrawal as "an affront to basic principles of free speech and expression" and calls the anti-terror legislation "draconian" and "ill-conceived".

Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the proscription of Palestine Action. When asked to review the ban by Claire Hanna, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Burnham said it "followed a rigorous and evidence-based process that came before this House, endorsed by Parliament" and declined to comment further as the matter was a live legal case. The Supreme Court is set to hear a case on the ban within two weeks.

How it is being reported

• Actors, writers condemn UK anti-terror law targeting Sally RooneyDozens of leading figures term the UK law banning Palestine Action a ‘repressive absurdity’.Al Jazeera · 21 Oct, 19:35
• ‘It feels quite frightening’: readers rush to snap up Sally Rooney books as stocks dwindle amid Palestine Action banBooksellers have reported selling out of the Irish novelist’s works after it was announced that her books would be withdrawn from sale in the UK Booksellers have reported selling out of copies of Sally Rooney’s novels, following the news that her books would be withdrawn from sale in the UK, given her support for the banned group Palestine Action. Sales shot up nearly 300% in a week, as a host of high profile writers signed letters in support of the Irish author, including Zadie Smith, Annie Ernaux, Arundhati Roy, Ali Smith and Kamila Shamsie. Bookmarked, an independent bookshop in Bristol…The Guardian · 21 Oct, 19:26
• PM backs ‘rigorous process’ behind Palestine Action ban after Rooney book haltNormal People author Sally Rooney said she will no longer be able to sell her books in the UK over her support for the group.Evening Standard · 21 Oct, 13:27
• Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK – podcastThe bestselling author says her books will no longer be supplied to UK bookshops over fears of prosecution. Zoe Williams and Haroon Siddique report For now there might be a copy or two of Intermezzo left kicking around in your local bookshop – snap it up if you haven’t already, because soon that will be it. Last year, Sally Rooney said she would be using her royalties to support Palestine Action, a group that is proscribed as a terrorist organisation under UK law. Since then, thousands of people have been arrested for supporting the group. Now, faced with the risk of prosecution under…Guardian World · 20 Oct, 03:00

In this story: Sally Rooney · Palestine Action · Faber · Andy Burnham · United Kingdom · Ireland

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