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Sally Rooney Withdraws Books From UK Over Palestine Action Support
Confirmed
In Short: Irish author Sally Rooney has withdrawn her books from UK sales due to her support for Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organization.
Irish novelist Sally Rooney announced on Wednesday that her books will no longer be supplied to UK booksellers due to her support for Palestine Action, a group the British government has outlawed as a terrorist organization.
According to NielsenIQ BookData, Rooney has sold more than six million copies of her novels globally, including 2.3 million in the UK.
Rooney, 35, is the author of four critically acclaimed novels: 'Conversations with Friends,' 'Normal People,' 'Beautiful World, Where are You,' and 'Intermezzo.' Both 'Conversations with Friends' and 'Normal People' were adapted for television by the BBC.
In a statement, Rooney said, 'After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK.'
Faber, her publisher, stated, 'Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work.'
Rooney wrote in The Irish Times in August 2025 that she would continue to use the proceeds from her books to support Palestine Action, noting that the UK government's ban was an attempt to police political speech.
The group Palestine Action says it is committed to 'ending global complicity with Israel’s genocidal apartheid regime,' according to their website.
In September 2025, Rooney cancelled a trip to London to accept the Sky Arts Award for literature over concerns she could be arrested if she entered the country over her support for Palestine Action.
More than 3,000 people have been arrested since the group was outlawed, including for holding signs declaring 'I support Palestine Action.' More than 1,200 have been charged under the Terrorism Act, though none has yet been convicted.
The UK's center-left Labour government outlawed Palestine Action after activists from the direct-action group broke into a Royal Air Force base in June 2025 to protest British military support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Rooney said, '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.'
The Jerusalem Post reported that Rooney's publisher Faber said, 'As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the UK.'
What this adds
WarpBeat previously reported that Rooney had withdrawn her books from UK sales due to her support for Palestine Action, but the new details provide a clearer timeline and the specific impact on her earnings and public appearances.
Background
Irish author Sally Rooney has withdrawn her books from UK sales due to her support for Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organization.
What's confirmed
- The group, Palestine Action, says it is committed to “ending global complicity with Israel’s genocidal apartheid regime,” according to their website.
- LONDON (AP) — Irish novelist Sally Rooney said on Wednesday that her books are being withdrawn from sale in the U.K. because of her support for Palestine Action, a protest group the British government has outlawed as a terrorist organization.
- More than 3,000 people have been arrested since the group was outlawed, including for holding signs declaring “I support Palestine Action.” More than 1,200 have been charged under the Terrorism Act, though none has yet been convicted.
- Rooney, 35, is the critically praised author of four novels: “Conversations with Friends,” “Normal People,” “Beautiful World, Where are You” and “Intermezzo.” Her books have sold millions of copies, and both “Conversations with Friends” and “Normal People” were adapted for television by the BBC.
- "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.
- The Irish author, 35, previously said she would donate earnings from her books and BBC adaptations of novels to Palestine Action, which has a stated goal of “ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime”.
- As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the U.K.
- "We remain the proud publisher of her remarkable body of work, which we will continue to sell in other territories."
- "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," she said.
- "After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK."
What's still developing
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