Sally Rooney’s Books Removed from U.K. as Publisher Faces Legal Risks
By mid-October 2026, renowned Irish author Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be available in the U.K. This decision follows her vocal support for Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organization in Britain. Rooney is well-known for her novels ‘Normal People’ and ‘Conversations with Friends,’ both of which have been adapted for television. Her publisher, Faber, announced the halt in supply due to legal constraints.
Faber stated, “Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work. To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.” The novelist has expressed her intention to donate her proceeds to Palestine Action, which may lead to legal issues under British anti-terrorism laws.
In a statement to The Irish Times in August 2025, Rooney shared her stance, “I want to be clear that I intend to use these proceeds of my work, as well as my public platform generally, to go on supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide in whatever way I can.”
About Palestine Action
Established in 2020, Palestine Action is a British direct action group targeting companies they accuse of arming Israel. The group labels itself as committed to ending global complicity with what they describe as Israel’s genocidal apartheid regime. The British government designated it as a terrorist organization in July 2025 after multiple incidents of criminal damage, including an attack on a U.S. defense company factory in 2022.
This designation was issued after the group admitted to damaging aircraft at RAF Brize Norton; thus British authorities estimate the damages at $9.4 million. Supporting or affiliating with any designated terrorist group is illegal under U.K. law.
Protests and arrests follow the ban, with widespread demonstrations occurring across the U.K. Statistics from Britain’s Home Office indicate that the average age of those arrested for supporting Palestine Action is 59, differing starkly from other terrorism-related arrests, which average 28 years of age. Ongoing legal challenges to the ban are awaiting a Supreme Court decision.
A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism commented that Rooney is experiencing consequences for her actions, suggesting the group reported her to counterterrorism authorities for her declared support.