Sally Rooney, the 35-year-old Irish novelist from Mayo known for Normal People and Conversations with Friends, said in August 2025 that she supported Palestine Action and would use proceeds from her work to support the group. Rooney, who is based in the Republic of Ireland, made the declaration in the Irish Times.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025. The Court of Appeal ruled in June that the proscription was lawful, and hundreds of people have been arrested in the UK since July 2025 for showing support for the group.
The group is a direct action organisation founded in 2020. It has protested UK arms exports to Israel, Israel's war on Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians through demonstrations, building occupations and vandalism.
It is not a proscribed or prohibited group in the Republic of Ireland, creating a divide between the country where Rooney lives and the UK market for her books.
Faber, Rooney's publisher, said current UK legislation had left it unable to pass UK earnings from her work to the author.
Faber said: 'To sell a writer's work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.'
On Wednesday 14 October 2026, Rooney said that sales of her novels in the UK would 'constitute a serious criminal offence' because of her backing for Palestine Action.
After consultations with Faber, Rooney said they had jointly decided that continuing to supply her books in the UK could constitute a serious criminal offence. She said the decision was made 'with my full agreement.'
Rooney has withdrawn her books from UK sale.
She said she had endeavoured to remain honest about her beliefs and intentions, and was wholly prepared to accept the consequences of her actions.
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