Sally Rooney Withdraws Books from UK Over Palestine Action
Author Sally Rooney and her publisher Faber & Faber will no longer supply her books in the UK, citing anti-terrorism laws that prohibit payments to the proscribed group Palestine Action.
Sally Rooney and her publisher Faber & Faber have agreed to withdraw her books from the UK market. This follows the British government's 2025 proscription of the direct-action network Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
Faber & Faber stated that current UK legislation prevents them from passing on UK earnings to the author. 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, the publisher said. Rooney's novels will no longer be supplied to UK retailers in any format, though existing physical stock may remain on shelves.
Context and Principles
Rooney has stated that continuing to publish in the UK could constitute a criminal offence due to her intention to donate royalties to Palestine Action. The Irish novelist, author of Normal People, wrote an op-ed in The Irish Times in August 2025 titled 'I support Palestine Action. If this makes me a ‘supporter of terror’ under UK law, so be it.'
In that piece, she stated her intention to give royalties from UK book sales, as well as residuals from television adaptations, to the group. "The fulfilment of contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence," Rooney wrote. She said she was wholly prepared to accept the consequences.
Impact and Reach
Rooney’s withdrawal carries significant cultural weight given her commercial success. Her novels have sold millions of copies in the UK and been adapted into popular television series.
| Book Title | UK Sales | Adaptation Details |
|---|---|---|
| Beautiful World, Where Are You | Over 500,000 copies | N/A |
| Normal People | Over 1 million copies | BBC TV series in 2020, launched careers of Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones |
| Conversations With Friends | N/A | Adapted for television by the BBC |
Sally Rooney has sold 2.3 million books in the UK and more than six million globally. Her other works include the novel Intermezzo.
Broader Implications
The case highlights tensions between UK anti-terrorism legislation and artistic freedom. Under Section 15 of the Terrorism Act, providing money knowing it may be used for terrorism is an offence carrying a maximum 14-year sentence. The Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, banned Palestine Action under this legislation in July 2025.
Palestine Action is a direct action network known for disrupting weapon manufacturers that sell arms to Israel. It is the first direct-action group to be banned under the Terrorism Act in British history. Technically, Rooney's books could still be sold in the UK, but she would not be paid for their sales. Faber & Faber did not want to withhold her earnings.
Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, said Rooney took a brave and principled stand from the moment plans to ban the group were announced. The decision will cost Rooney money but brings awareness to the legislation's impact. Rooney previously cancelled a trip to the UK to collect an award, citing fears of arrest.
Faber & Faber continues to publish Rooney's work in Ireland and abroad.
