Irish novelist Sally Rooney said Wednesday that her books are being withdrawn from sale in the United Kingdom because of her support for Palestine Action, a protest group the British government has outlawed as a terrorist organization.
Rooney, 35, author of bestselling novels including "Normal People" and "Conversations With Friends," announced the decision in a statement to media outlets. Her publisher Faber confirmed the withdrawal, saying the legal circumstances created by the ban made continued sales untenable.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization by the British government in July 2025. The designation placed the group on the same legal blacklist as militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah, making it illegal in the UK to be part of, support, or finance the group. The organization is appealing the proscription.
In August 2025, following the ban, Rooney stated she intended to use her earnings from book sales and her public platform to support Palestine Action. She reiterated this commitment in a statement to The Guardian, writing that she would continue backing the group despite the legal consequences.
"In July 2025, the direct-action protest group Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK," Rooney said in her statement. "As a result of this, the fulfilment of contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence."
Rooney noted that Palestine Action is not banned in the Republic of Ireland, where she resides. However, UK law creates criminal liability for supporting the proscribed organization, regardless of where the supporter lives.
"After consultations and consideration, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore decided that it can no longer publish my work in the UK," she said. "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."
Faber stated in a written response that current UK legislation created circumstances where the publisher could not pass on UK earnings to 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," the publisher said. "As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format."
Ebook editions of Rooney's novels have already been removed from sale in the UK, though many bookshops still hold existing stock of physical copies. Rooney's books have sold more than six million copies globally and have been adapted for television by the BBC and streaming services.
Rooney previously cancelled a planned trip to the UK to receive an award, citing fear of arrest under the Terrorism Act. Supporting organizations banned under that legislation is an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Palestine Action, founded in 2020, has conducted numerous demonstrations in Britain in recent years. The group states its goal as "ending global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime."