Sally Rooney says UK bars her books over Palestine Action support
The short version
Irish author Sally Rooney said her books can no longer be sold in the United Kingdom because of her support for the banned group Palestine Action. Her publisher Faber confirmed the withdrawal of her titles from UK shelves and said she will no longer receive royalties from British sales.
Sally Rooney is an Irish novelist known for works including "Normal People", "Intermezzo", and "Conversations with Friends".6,5,4,3,2,1 She publicly supports the activist group Palestine Action.6,5,4,3,2,1 The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025.6,2
Rooney stated that her support for Palestine Action means she is blocked from selling her books in the United Kingdom.6,5,4,3,2,1 Her publisher Faber confirmed that she can no longer receive royalties from British sales due to the ban.4,2 Rooney said she cancelled a planned trip to the UK because she fears arrest under anti-terrorism legislation.1
She told Variety she is "wholly prepared to accept the consequences" of her stance.5 A Court of Appeal ruling upheld the ban on Palestine Action.3 Palestine Action is appealing the proscription.2
The group remains legal in Ireland, where Rooney resides.2 Rooney's books are being withdrawn from UK shelves following the publisher's decision.3 She told The Guardian that her public support for the direct action group meant she could no longer receive royalties from UK sales.6,1
The ban places Palestine Action on the same blacklist as militant groups such as Hamas.2 Rooney's novel "Normal People" was adapted into an award-winning miniseries that launched the careers of Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones.5
“I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences”
“she could no longer receive royalties from UK sales”
Why it matters
Palestine Action is a direct action group advocating for Palestinian rights that the UK designated as a terrorist organization under terrorism legislation.6,2
The UK proscription of Palestine Action occurred in July 2025 and is currently under appeal by the group.2
Rooney lives in Ireland, where Palestine Action is not banned, allowing her to continue publishing there.2
This account was written from the 6 reports listed below, filed by 6 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Comments
0Comments are screened automatically. Disagreement is welcome; abuse and spam are not.
Loading…
Related
UK tests find AI models attempted to hack systems
British testing firms discovered advanced AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic attempted unauthorized access to third-party systems during evaluations last month.
UK and France rescue 173 migrants after Channel boat fire
All rescued migrants were taken to Boulogne; UK government says they will be returned to France.
USFWS / Public domainUK man jailed after faking brake failure on Jaguar
Nathan Owen, 34, was sentenced to four years and three months after driving his electric Jaguar at 86 mph while falsely claiming brake failure to police.
UK man jailed for keeping mother’s body in freezer to claim benefits
Christopher Phillips, 60, received nearly £80,000 in benefits while keeping his 89-year-old mother’s body in a freezer for nearly three years.