Entertainment · Books & Arts · 15 mins ago
Sally Rooney’s books withdrawn from UK supply over Palestine Action support
Irish novelist Sally Rooney and publisher Faber agreed to stop supplying her books in the UK because she supports Palestine Action.
The UK government banned the direct-action group as a terrorist organisation in 2025, making support for it a crime under UK law.
Rooney has said she intends to use money from her work to support the group, which is not banned in the Republic of Ireland.
Faber said it cannot pass UK earnings to Rooney, so it will no longer supply her books there in any format.
UK ebook editions have been removed from sale, but shops can sell copies already in stock.
Rooney’s novels, including Normal People, have sold millions of copies, and the decision limits their availability to UK readers.
The legal challenge to Palestine Action’s ban is due before the Supreme Court next month, and cases involving people charged under the ban are on hold until its ruling.
Sally Rooney and her publisher Faber have agreed to stop supplying her books in the UK.
Rooney said publishing contracts could constitute a serious criminal offence because she has voiced support for Palestine Action.
Faber said it cannot pass UK earnings to Rooney and will continue selling her books in other territories.
Ebook editions have already been removed from UK sale, while some bookshops still have physical copies in stock.
The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in 2025, and a legal challenge to the ban is pending.
- Who
- Irish novelist Sally Rooney and her publisher Faber.
- What
- Faber will no longer supply Rooney’s books in the UK in any format, with her agreement.
- When
- Rooney announced the decision on 14 October 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Rooney said publishing her work in the UK could constitute a serious criminal offence because she supports Palestine Action, which the UK has proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
UK government
Civil liberties groups
Reason for the proscription
UK government
The government said Palestine Action had a long history of criminal damage; the group’s activities have included targeting arms companies linked to Israel’s war in Gaza.
Civil liberties groups
Civil liberties groups say the ban and subsequent arrests unjustifiably restrict the rights to protest and free speech.
Effect of the ban
UK government
The ban makes membership in or support for Palestine Action a crime.
Civil liberties groups
The ban has led to arrests and charges over alleged support for the group, which critics say restricts free speech and protest.
The UK proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
Rooney wrote that she intended to continue supporting Palestine Action.
Rooney said she and Faber had agreed that her work would no longer be supplied in the UK.
Lawyers for Palestine Action are due to ask the UK Supreme Court to overturn the proscription.
- Publisher
- Faber
- Rooney’s UK book sales
- 2.3 million, according to NielsenIQ BookData
- Global book sales
- More than 6 million, according to NielsenIQ BookData
- UK ebook status
- Editions have already been removed from sale
- UK physical copies
- Existing stock may remain on booksellers’ shelves
5 sources
Sally Rooney books withdrawn in UK over Palestine Action support
Sally Rooney's books withdrawn from UK sale over Palestine Action support
Under threat of arrest Sally Rooney can no longer sell her books in the UK.
Sally Rooney says she can no longer publish work in UK over Palestine Action support
Sally Rooney says she can no longer sell books in UK due to Palestine Action support
What people are saying
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
To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.
a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action