Sally Rooney Books Sales Paused in UK Over Palestine Action Support

Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be supplied in the United Kingdom after her publisher Faber said current legislation prevents it from passing UK earnings to the author because of her stated support for Palestine Action.

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025. Rooney said that because she had publicly stated her intention to continue supporting the group, fulfilling publishing contracts and receiving royalties could expose her and others involved in those payments to criminal liability under the Terrorism Act.

Faber said that selling Rooney’s work without being able to pass on the proceeds would be “an unconscionable situation” and, with her agreement, has decided to stop supplying her books in the UK in any format. Sales will continue in other territories.

Rooney had previously warned in a High Court statement that the proscription could eventually prevent both existing books and future works from being sold in Britain. She also cancelled a UK visit in 2025 over concerns that she could face arrest because of her support for Palestine Action.

Existing stock has not immediately disappeared from shelves. Waterstones said copies already held by booksellers could still be sold, while Rooney’s books remained available at some UK shops on Wednesday.

Since Palestine Action was banned, more than 3,700 people have been arrested in the UK for alleged support of the group and around 2,500 have been charged. A legal challenge to the proscription is ongoing, with a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for next month.