Sally Rooney’s publisher pulls books from UK over her support for outlawed anti-Israel group

Irish novelist’s publisher announces move to protest British law proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist group, preventing her from transferring book royalties to support it

By Reuters Today, 4:14 am

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Sally Rooney takes part in a panel during the Winter 2020 Television Critics Association Press Tour on January 17, 2020, in Pasadena, California. (Richard Shotwell/ Invision/ AP)

Irish novelist Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be sold in Britain over her plans to use her royalties to support Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group banned as a terrorist organization, Rooney and her publisher said on Wednesday.

The bestselling author, known for novels including “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends,” has been a vocal supporter of Palestine Action, including after it was proscribed by the British government under terrorism laws last year.

Rooney previously said in a witness statement submitted to London’s High Court, in support of a legal challenge over the ban on Palestine Action, that her plans could lead to her books being withdrawn from sale in Britain.

Her publisher Faber said on Wednesday that it had agreed with Rooney that “we can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format,” though it would sell her works elsewhere.

“Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work,” Faber said in a statement.

“To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.”

Rooney said in a statement: “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.”

Protesters attend a “Lift The Ban” demonstration in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action, calling for the recently imposed ban to be lifted, in Trafalgar Square, central London, on October 4, 2025. (Justin Tallis/AFP)

Palestine Action, which had increasingly targeted Israel-linked defense companies, was banned shortly after a June 2025 break-in at the Royal Air Force’s Brize Norton base.

Last year, Palestine Action’s co-founder Huda Ammori challenged the ban and the High Court ruled in her favour in February, before the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in June. The Supreme Court is due to hear an appeal next month.

More than 3,000 people have since been arrested for holding signs in support of Palestine Action and its proscription has been criticized by civil liberties groups.