Sally Rooney’s Books Discontinued in the UK Amid Controversy

The renowned Irish author Sally Rooney will see her books removed from U.K. booksellers. The decision is linked to her public support for Palestine Action, a group deemed a terrorist organization in the U.K.

Rooney, known for works like “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends”, collaborated with publisher Faber to halt book supplies to British retailers. According to Faber, current U.K. laws prevent them from compensating Rooney for sales, creating an ethical dilemma for the publisher.

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,” Faber’s statement explained.

Rooney had plans to use her book earnings to financially assist Palestine Action, risking legal issues for both herself and her publisher under British anti-terrorism laws.

Background on Palestine Action

Established in 2020, Palestine Action engages in direct action against companies it accuses of supporting Israel’s military. The organization calls itself a “movement committed to ending global complicity with Israel’s genocidal apartheid regime.” In July 2025, the U.K. government classified Palestine Action as a terrorist group due to its history of criminal damage and increased assaults on defense facilities, such as an attack on Teledyne Technologies’ factory.

The classification happened after the group admitted to entering RAF Brize Norton airbase and damaging aircraft. Authorities estimate the damage costs around $9.4 million.

U.K. law criminalizes membership in or public support of designated terrorist groups.

Protests have erupted in response to the ban, with widespread arrests. Data from Britain’s Home Office shows supporters of Palestine Action being arrested have an average age of 59, contrasting with 28 for other terrorism-related arrests. The ban faces a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.

In response to the controversy, the U.K. activist group Campaign Against Antisemitism criticized Rooney’s actions and reported her to counterterrorism authorities.