Irish author Sally Rooney and her publisher Faber have withdrawn her bestselling novels from sale across the United Kingdom. The decision follows the author’s public support for Palestine Action, a direct-action protest group proscribed as a terrorist organization by the British government.
Faber Withdraws Bestselling Novels Amid Royalties Deadlock
Irish novelist Sally Rooney can no longer sell her books in the UK because her public backing of Palestine Action creates an unworkable legal and financial hurdle for her publisher. Current UK legislation prevents her publisher, Faber, from passing on earnings generated by British book sales to the author.
Bestselling Irish author Sally Rooney has announced that her books can no longer be sold in the UK due to the British government’s ban on Palestine Action. In a statement on Wednesday, the award-winning Normal People author said that due to her publicly-stated intention to go… pic.twitter.com/AXrK9Y2chK
To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher,
Faber stated, confirming that the firm made the decision to halt supply in any format in full agreement with the author. Rooney’s catalogue includes bestselling titles such as Conversations With Friends,
Normal People,
Beautiful World, Where Are You?
and Intermezzo,
with her first two novels having inspired BBC television adaptations starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
The Proscription of Palestine Action
The underlying legal crisis stems from a government ban introduced on July 5, 2025. Britain’s center-left Labour government outlawed Palestine Action after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in June 2025 to protest British military support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The proscription classified membership in or support for the direct-action group as a criminal offense carrying potential prison sentences of up to 14 years.
BREAKING – Irish author Sally Rooney can no longer sell her books in the UK because of her support for the activist group Palestine Action, proscribed by London, her publisher Faber said Wednesday.https://t.co/W1r7OpqF73
In August 2025, Rooney published an opinion piece in The Irish Times stating that she intended to keep supporting Palestine Action, whose stated goal is ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime. Because the group is not prohibited in the Republic of Ireland, Rooney declared that she would donate her book royalties and television fees to the organization. She noted in a statement that fulfilling UK publishing contracts could now constitute a serious criminal offence under British law.
In July 2025, the direct-action protest group Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. The following month, I wrote an opinion piece expressing my intention to go on supporting Palestine Action, which is not a proscribed or otherwise prohibited group here in the Republic of Ireland.
Sally Rooney, Author
The author previously canceled a trip to London in September 2025 to accept the Sky Arts Award for literature due to fears of arrest upon entering the country. Home Office officials maintain that the proscription followed a rigorous, evidence-based process endorsed by Parliament, pointing to a Court of Appeal finding that the group carried out acts of terrorism and promoted violence.
Palestine Action Ban Sparks Free Speech Concerns
The withdrawal of Rooney’s books highlights an escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action. More than 3,000 people have faced arrest since the ban took effect, with over 1,200 charged under the Terrorism Act—including individuals detained for holding signs declaring support for the group. Civil liberties advocates argue that the legislation infringes upon fundamental democratic freedoms.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori argued that Rooney’s inability to publish her work in the country exposes the chilling consequences of authoritarian laws. Meanwhile, lawyers representing Palestine Action are preparing to ask the UK Supreme Court to overturn the proscription next month, prompting authorities to place all related criminal breach cases on hold pending the ruling.
Huda Ammori: Sally Rooney being unable to publish her work in the UK marks a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action. She took a brave & principled stand & has refused to compromise her convictions even at considerable cost https://t.co/FX6qslTeFW
Sally Rooney being unable to publish her work in the UK marks a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action.
Huda Ammori, Palestine Action co-founder
Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticized the government’s stance, asserting that Labour’s authoritarian and ludicrous law has turned the country into a laughing stock. Faber confirmed that despite halting distribution in Britain, it remains the proud publisher of Rooney’s work and will continue supplying her books in other territories.
