Sally Rooney Will “No Longer Supply” Her Books To UK After Palestine Action Proscribed Terrorist Organization
Sally Rooney and her publisher Faber & Faber have agreed to stop supplying her books in the UK, saying that fulfilling publication contracts could risk a serious criminal offence. The decision follows the UK’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation and Rooney’s public statement that she would continue to support the group.
Rooney said Palestine Action is not prohibited in the Republic of Ireland, where she lives, and that she is prepared to accept the consequences of her position. The UK proscribed the group in July 2025 after activists allegedly entered a Royal Air Force base and damaged two military aircraft; the article also reports that the United States has designated the group a terrorist organisation.
- Rooney and Faber will stop supplying her books in the UK.
- They say publication contracts could risk a criminal offence.
- The decision follows the UK’s proscription of Palestine Action.
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Sally Rooney is an Irish novelist whose books are published in the UK by Faber & Faber. Palestine Action is a protest group that has targeted organisations and sites linked to Israel’s military; the UK banned it in July 2025 after activists allegedly damaged aircraft at a Royal Air Force base.
Under UK law, membership of or support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence. Rooney has said she will continue to support Palestine Action, which is not banned in the Republic of Ireland, where she lives.
The dispute centres on whether supplying Rooney’s books in the UK could expose her or her publisher to legal risk. It also raises questions about how the ban affects public expressions of support and the availability of her work to UK readers.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Rooney and Faber can argue that continuing to supply the books could expose them to serious criminal liability under UK law, so stopping supply is a prudent way to meet legal obligations. Rooney may also see her stance as a matter of conscience: she is willing to accept consequences for supporting a group she regards as legitimate, while noting that it is not prohibited where she lives.
The case against
Critics can argue that stopping supply restricts the availability of books and risks making cultural expression collateral to a dispute over the group’s legal status. They may also contend that publishers should seek clear legal guidance and challenge an interpretation that could chill lawful publishing, rather than withdrawing titles from UK readers.