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Rooney's Palestine stand halts UK book sales
Irish novelist Sally Rooney's books withdrawn from British shelves after she pledged to fund a banned protest group, reigniting debate over terrorism law and free speech.
In brief
Irish novelist Sally Rooney's books withdrawn from British shelves after she pledged to fund a banned protest group, reigniting debate over terrorism law and free speech. Sally Rooney's UK publisher stopped distributing her books after she said she would fund Palestine Action, a group banned as terrorist in July…
Rooney's books pulled from UK shelves
Irish novelist Sally Rooney's books are no longer sold in the UK after she said she financially supports Palestine Action, a group banned as terrorist.
Who is Sally Rooney
Rooney, thirty-five, wrote four critically praised novels: Conversations with Friends, Normal People, Beautiful World Where are You and Intermezzo. Her books sold millions of copies.
Palestine Action banned in July twenty twenty-five
The UK government outlawed Palestine Action, a direct-action protest group. Membership or support for the group is now a crime punishable by up to fourteen years in prison.
Rooney pledges to fund the banned group
After the ban in July twenty twenty-five, Rooney said she would use proceeds from her books and their TV adaptations to support Palestine Action financially.
Publisher stops distribution
Rooney's UK publisher Faber said paying her royalties could violate the terror ban and announced it can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format.
“we can no longer supply her works in the U.K. in any format.”
Rooney accepts the consequences
Rooney said in a statement she had made every effort to be honest about her beliefs and intentions and was wholly prepared to accept the consequences.
“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.”
Bookstores scramble to stock up
British bookstores rushed to buy Rooney's novels before they became unavailable, but distributors had already run out of stock. Lucy Burke at Camden Town Bookshop said what they have is all they will get.
“Because she's a hugely popular seller here, and quite evergreen. But now it seems like what we have is all we're going to have.”
Palestine Action's direct actions
Founded in twenty twenty, Palestine Action aims to stop UK military support for Israel.In twenty twenty-four its activists broke into an Elbit Systems UK factory with sledgehammers.
Thousands arrested for silent protest
More than three thousand people have been arrested for silently holding signs reading I support Palestine Action.
Supreme Court to rule on ban next month
The High Court ruled in February that banning Palestine Action was disproportionate and unlawful. The Court of Appeal overturned that in June. Next month the UK Supreme Court will decide whether to quash the ban.
What matters most
Sally Rooney's UK publisher stopped distributing her books after she said she would fund Palestine Action, a group banned as terrorist in July twenty twenty-five, sparking a free speech row.
