Sally Rooney books withdrawn from UK market over support for Palestine Action

Bestselling Irish novelist Sally Rooney has seen her literary works withdrawn from sale in the United Kingdom, following a decision linked to her stated intention to donate royalties to Palestine Action, a group classified by the British government as a terrorist organisation. The withdrawal of her books, which include the globally acclaimed titles "Normal People" and "Conversations with Friends," was confirmed by both the author and her publisher, Faber, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.The move follows a period of heightened legal scrutiny regarding Palestine Action. The group, known for targeting defence companies linked to Israel, was proscribed under British anti-terrorism laws shortly after a security breach at the Royal Air Force base in Brize Norton in June 2025. The legal status of the organisation has been the subject of significant judicial activity; while the High Court initially ruled in favour of a challenge brought by the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, earlier in 2026, the Court of Appeal later overturned that decision in June. A further appeal is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court next month.Faber issued a statement explaining that the current legislative framework in the UK creates an impossible situation for the publisher. The company noted that it cannot legally remit the UK earnings from book sales to Ms. Rooney given her vocal support for the proscribed group. "To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher," the firm stated, adding that it had reached a mutual agreement with the author to cease the supply of her works in the UK in any format, though international sales will continue unaffected.Ms. Rooney, who had previously signalled that her commitment to the cause might result in such an outcome, addressed the situation in a formal 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," she noted. The author had previously submitted a witness statement to the High Court supporting a legal challenge against the government's ban on Palestine Action, explicitly highlighting the potential impact on her publishing career.The issue has drawn broader attention to the intersection of political activism and civil liberties in the United Kingdom. Since the government's decision to ban the group, more than 3,000 individuals have reportedly been arrested for demonstrating in support of Palestine Action. This enforcement has faced criticism from various civil liberties organisations who argue that the proscription restricts freedom of expression.As the legal appeals regarding the status of Palestine Action progress toward the Supreme Court, the decision to remove Rooney’s books highlights the practical difficulties publishers face when operating under stringent anti-terrorism legislation. For now, readers in Britain will no longer find new copies of the author's work through standard retail channels, marking a significant development in the ongoing discourse surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the limits of political advocacy in the public sphere.