A Publisher’s Withdrawal
In a significant shift for the British literary landscape, publisher Faber has announced it will no longer supply the works of Irish novelist Sally Rooney to the U.K. market. The decision, confirmed by NPR, follows a direct clash between U.K. anti-terrorism legislation and Rooney’s stated commitment to provide financial support to the activist group Palestine Action.
Faber stated that the current legal environment makes it impossible to continue their operations regarding the author’s work. “Current legislation in the U.K. has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on U.K. earnings to Sally Rooney for her work,” the publisher explained. “To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.” Consequently, in full agreement with the author, the publisher has halted the supply of her novels in all formats across the country.
The Legal and Political Context
The controversy stems from the British government’s decision in July 2025 to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act 2000. While the group focuses on direct action against corporate entities linked to the Israeli military, the government maintained that its activities, including property damage, crossed the threshold into terrorism. Under existing U.K. law, providing financial assistance to a proscribed group carries severe penalties, including potential prison sentences of up to 14 years.
Rooney, 35, has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which she has characterized as genocide—a claim that Israel vehemently denies. Following the proscription of Palestine Action, the novelist stated her intention to continue funding the group, declaring in an opinion piece for The Irish Times: “if this makes me a ‘supporter of terror’ under U.K. law, so be it.”
Escalating Scrutiny and Free Speech Concerns
The designation of Palestine Action has drawn significant criticism from human rights organizations. The U.N. Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, has urged the U.K. government to rescind the decision, arguing it appears “disproportionate and unnecessary.” Amnesty International U.K. has also criticized the country’s definition of terrorism as “deeply flawed and overly broad.”
Despite these protests, the legal situation remains precarious. The U.K. High Court ruled against the ban in February, a decision later overturned by the Court of Appeal. The case is scheduled to be heard by Britain’s highest court next month. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of the Treasury also sanctioned the group in August, labeling its members as “far-left terrorists.”
Rooney, who has reportedly ceased traveling to the U.K. to avoid potential arrest, remains firm in her stance. In a statement provided to Boise State Public Radio, she noted that she is “wholly prepared to accept the consequences” of her political actions.