Sally Rooney withdraws books from UK over Palestine Action support and legal ban

Consensus Summary

Sally Rooney, the Irish author of *Normal People* and *Conversations with Friends*, has withdrawn her books from UK sales after her publisher, Faber, confirmed it could no longer distribute her works due to her support for Palestine Action. The group was banned as a terrorist organisation in July 2025 under the UK’s Terrorism Act, placing Rooney in legal jeopardy if she received royalties or publicised her affiliation. Both ABC and the Guardian report that Faber’s decision stems from the risk of criminal liability under Section 15 of the Act, which prohibits funding or supporting proscribed groups, with a maximum 14-year prison sentence. Rooney’s op-ed in August 2025 explicitly declaring her support for Palestine Action—despite its legal status in the UK—triggered the withdrawal, as even passive association now carries severe consequences.

The ban on Palestine Action follows a series of high-profile protests, including a June 2025 raid on a RAF base in Oxfordshire where activists spray-painted military planes red. The group’s tactics, modelled on Extinction Rebellion, have escalated since the Gaza War, targeting arms manufacturers like Elbit Systems. The UK government’s designation of Palestine Action alongside groups like Hamas and Hezbollah has drawn criticism from human rights organisations, including the UN, which called the measure 'disproportionate.' Legal challenges have further complicated the situation: the High Court initially struck down the ban in February 2026, but the Court of Appeal overturned this ruling in June 2026, leading to the jailing of four activists that same month. Over 3,700 arrests have been made since the ban’s implementation, with most related to peaceful expressions of support.

Rooney’s public stance has drawn sharp reactions from both supporters and critics. In statements to ABC and the Guardian, she framed her withdrawal as a consequence of UK laws criminalising dissent, noting that even attending a literary award ceremony last year risked arrest. Faber’s statement underscored the ethical dilemma: selling books while unable to pay the author due to legal constraints. Meanwhile, figures like Labour MP John McDonnell and Amnesty International UK have condemned the UK’s approach, with McDonnell questioning whether the country has become 'hostile to free speech.' The Guardian highlights that Rooney’s books remain widely available in Ireland, Australia, and other territories where Palestine Action is not banned, though her Australian publisher faced pressure in 2025 to reconsider her inclusion at events.

While both ABC and the Guardian agree on the core timeline—Rooney’s withdrawal, the July 2025 ban, and the legal appeals—they diverge on specific details. The ABC emphasises the financial impact of protests, such as the £1 million damage caused by a 2022 Glasgow factory raid, and includes broader critiques of UK free speech laws affecting pro-Palestinian voices, including an Indigenous author’s censored book. The Guardian, however, focuses more on the legal mechanics of the ban, including the distinction between Section 13 (six-month maximum sentence) and Section 15 (14 years), and notes that most arrests involved placard-waving rather than violent acts. Both outlets cite the upcoming Supreme Court appeal in November 2026 as the next critical juncture, though the Guardian suggests charges may yet proceed despite ongoing legal challenges.

The unresolved question hanging over the case is whether the Supreme Court will uphold the ban or strike it down, potentially altering the legal landscape for Palestine Action supporters. If the ban stands, figures like Rooney may face permanent exclusion from UK markets, while activists risk prolonged imprisonment. The Guardian reports that none of the over 2,500 charged individuals have yet faced trial, indicating a legal stalemate. Meanwhile, the ABC’s mention of a 2025 Australian petition to list Palestine Action as a terror group suggests the controversy is not confined to the UK, raising concerns about global suppression of pro-Palestinian advocacy. As the legal battle continues, Rooney’s case serves as a stark example of how anti-terror laws can collide with artistic freedom, leaving writers and publishers caught between creative integrity and legal survival.