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Sally Rooney, the acclaimed Irish author known for her novel *Normal People*, has announced that her books will no longer be distributed to booksellers in the UK. This decision stems from her ongoing support for Palestine Action, a group that the UK government has classified as a terrorist organisation. Despite the controversy, Rooney has confirmed her commitment to continue channeling her royalties to support the group.
Rooney explained in a statement to BBC News that any further publication of her works in the UK could potentially violate the law, categorizing it as a “serious criminal offence.” Consequently, she and her publisher, Faber, mutually agreed to cease supplying her books within the country. She expressed her willingness to face the repercussions, emphasizing, “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.” While ebook versions have already been withdrawn from UK sales, physical copies remain available in some bookstores, with major retailer Waterstones confirming there is no ban on selling existing stock.
Faber Publisher issued a statement clarifying the situation, explaining that current UK legislation prevents them from passing on earnings from UK sales directly to Rooney. The publisher described this as “an unconscionable situation,” and, aligning with Rooney, decided to stop supplying her work in all formats in the UK. Nevertheless, they affirmed their continued pride in representing Rooney’s literary achievements and confirmed that her works would still be available internationally.
The group at the center of this dispute, Palestine Action, was designated a terrorist organisation by the UK government in 2025 due to its history of criminal damage, particularly targeting arms manufacturers tied to Israel’s military activities in Gaza. Rooney noted that although Palestine Action is banned in the UK, it remains legal in her home country, the Republic of Ireland. In an article published last August, she stated her intention to keep donating proceeds from her writing to the cause, even at the risk of legal consequences, and she canceled a UK award ceremony appearance over concerns about potential arrest. Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori praised Rooney’s stance as “brave and principled,” criticizing the withdrawal of her books as indicative of a broader clampdown on free speech. Meanwhile, over 3,700 arrests linked to alleged support for Palestine Action have been made in the UK, with about 2,500 individuals charged. However, no trials have proceeded as the legality of the ban is being challenged in the courts, with the Supreme Court expected to hear the case next month
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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