Rooney backs banned protest group

Irish novelist Sally Rooney told The Guardian on Wednesday that she supports Palestine Action, an organisation the British government proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July twenty twenty-five.

Why Rooney felt able to speak out

Rooney said Palestine Action is not proscribed or prohibited in the Republic of Ireland, where she is based, making her support for the group legal in her home country.

UK law makes publishing her work illegal

Rooney said that after expressing support for Palestine Action, fulfilling contracts to publish her work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence under British law.

“As a result, the fulfilment of contracts to publish my work in the U.K. could now constitute a serious criminal offence.”

Publisher stops UK sales

Rooney's publisher Faber determined it can no longer supply her work within the UK after consulting with the author, who agreed to the decision.

Rooney accepts the consequences

Rooney said she has made every effort to be honest about her beliefs and intentions and is wholly prepared to accept the consequences of her stance.

“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 cannot pass on earnings

Faber confirmed it cannot pass on earnings from Rooney's work in the UK to the author, describing the situation as unconscionable for a publisher.

“To sell a writer's work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.”

Faber will sell elsewhere

Faber said it remains the proud publisher of Rooney's work and will continue to sell her books in other territories outside the UK.

Palestine Action co-founder responds

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, who has legally challenged the ban, wrote on social media that Rooney refused to withdraw her support for the direct action group.

Rooney's costly stance

Ammori noted that Rooney's refusal to withdraw support for Palestine Action cost her the royalties from all of her UK sales.

“refused to withdraw her support for the direct action group which targeted the Israeli arms industry, costing her the royalties from all of her UK sales.”

Rooney joins legal challenge

Rooney added her name to a high court statement supporting a legal challenge to the proscription, warning of the law's impact on freedom of expression.

Rooney warned of book disappearances

In her statement, Rooney said customers could see her books disappear from store shelves in the UK and that future releases could be blocked from being sold.

Thousands arrested for Palestine Action support

The Guardian estimates that more than three thousand seven hundred people have been arrested in the UK for their alleged support for Palestine Action.

Most arrested for holding signs

Most of those arrested were detained for holding signs that read, I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action, while around two thousand five hundred people have been charged.

No trials yet amid legal challenge

None of the arrested people have been tried amid an ongoing legal challenge to the ban, which is expected to go before the British Supreme Court next month.

Proscription carries severe penalties

Proscription made it a crime to support or be a member of Palestine Action, punishable by up to fourteen years in prison.

Palestine Action's history and tactics

Palestine Action formed in twenty twenty and has carried out direct action protests in the UK, including a break-in at a facility owned by Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems UK in August twenty twenty-four.

US Treasury sanctions the group

The US Treasury sanctioned Palestine Action in August and accused it of having supported numerous acts of terrorism and promoted its violent, criminal and terrorist acts on social media.