Sally Rooney Books Withdrawn from UK Market Over Palestine Action Support
Novelist cited UK legislation proscribing Palestine Action as terrorist organization, leading to publisher Faber halting UK sales.
Sally Rooney, author of "Normal People," has stated that her novels will no longer be supplied to booksellers in the United Kingdom due to her support for Palestine Action. Rooney announced last year her intention to use her royalties to support the group, which the UK government proscribed as a terrorist organization in 2025.
In a statement to the BBC, Rooney explained that further publication of her work in the UK could constitute a "serious criminal offence." Consequently, she and her publisher, Faber, have agreed to cease supplying her books 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," Rooney said.
Ebook editions of her novels have already been removed from sale in the UK. While physical copies are still available in some bookstores, Rooney has sold over six million books globally, with 2.3 million sold in the UK, according to NielsenIQ BookData.
Faber confirmed the decision, stating that "current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work." The publisher added, "To sell a writer's work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher." Faber emphasized that they remain the publisher of Rooney's work in other territories.
The UK government designated Palestine Action a terrorist organization in 2025, citing its "long history" of criminal damage. The group has been known for targeting arms companies involved in Israel's war in Gaza. Rooney clarified that while Palestine Action is proscribed in the UK, it is not a proscribed or prohibited group in the Republic of Ireland, where she resides.
In an opinion piece published last August in the Irish Times, Rooney had stated her intention to continue supporting Palestine Action despite the legal implications in the UK. She had previously canceled a trip to the UK to receive an award, fearing arrest.
Rooney's novels include "Normal People," "Intermezzo," "Conversations With Friends," and "Beautiful World, Where Are You." "Normal People," released in 2018, was adapted into a television series that gained significant popularity.