Sally Rooney Books Withdrawn from UK Sales Over Palestine Action

 Sally Rooney’s Books to Be Withdrawn from UK Sales Amid Palestine Action Dispute

By Lamiel Side News | October 17, 2026

Irish novelist Sally Rooney’s books are set to be withdrawn from sale in the United Kingdom after she and her publisher said they could no longer continue their existing arrangement over royalties linked to the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action.

Rooney, known internationally for bestselling novels such as Normal People and Conversations with Friends, has publicly supported Palestinian causes and expressed support for Palestine Action. The group was proscribed under UK terrorism legislation in 2025.

Her publisher, Faber, announced on October 14 that it had agreed with Rooney to stop supplying her works in the UK in all formats. The publisher said it would continue selling her books in other markets.

Why Are Sally Rooney’s Books Being Withdrawn?

The dispute centres on UK legislation and Rooney’s stated intention to use royalties from her work to support Palestine Action.

Faber said the current legal situation had created circumstances in which it could not pass UK earnings from Rooney’s books to the author. The publisher described selling a writer’s work without being able to transfer the earnings to her as unacceptable.

Rooney said she had made efforts to be transparent about her beliefs and intentions and was prepared to accept the consequences of her position.

The decision does not mean Rooney’s books have been banned worldwide. According to the publisher’s statement, sales outside the UK can continue.

Who Is Sally Rooney?

Sally Rooney is an Irish author whose novels have attracted international attention for their portrayals of relationships, friendship, class and contemporary life.

Her best-known works include Normal People and Conversations with Friends. Both novels reached wide audiences and helped establish her as a prominent voice in modern fiction.

In addition to her literary career, Rooney has spoken publicly about political and social issues, including the rights of Palestinians. Her position on Palestine Action has now had direct consequences for the UK distribution of her books.

What Is Palestine Action?

Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian activist group that has targeted companies and facilities it says are connected to Israel’s defence industry.

The British government proscribed the group under terrorism legislation in 2025, following an incident involving a break-in at Royal Air Force Brize Norton. The government’s decision made membership of, or support for, the proscribed organisation subject to legal restrictions.

The ban has attracted opposition from civil liberties campaigners, who have raised concerns about freedom of expression and the treatment of people protesting against the proscription.

Thousands of people have reportedly been arrested in connection with demonstrations or displays of support for Palestine Action since the ban was introduced. The legal consequences depend on the specific circumstances and applicable law.

Legal Challenge to the Ban

The proscription has been challenged through the courts. According to the Reuters report, Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori brought a legal challenge against the ban.

The High Court initially ruled in Ammori’s favour in February 2026, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in June. A further appeal was expected to be heard by the UK Supreme Court in November 2026, according to the report published on October 14.

The legal dispute has drawn attention to the balance between national security legislation, political activism and freedom of expression. The outcome of further proceedings could affect the wider debate surrounding the group’s proscription.

What Happens Next?

For readers in Britain, the publisher’s decision means that new supplies of Rooney’s books will no longer be provided through its UK distribution arrangements. The announcement does not, by itself, establish that every existing copy must be removed from private ownership or that all second-hand sales are prohibited.

International readers may still be able to obtain Rooney’s books through publishers and retailers operating outside the UK, subject to local availability.

The wider controversy highlights how political expression, publishing decisions and national security laws can intersect. Rooney and Faber have set out their positions, while the legal dispute over Palestine Action’s proscription remains an important part of the ongoing debate.

Conclusion

Sally Rooney’s decision to stand by her stated political position, together with her publisher’s response to UK legislation, has placed her books at the centre of a wider discussion about authorship, royalties and freedom of expression. Her works are being withdrawn from UK supply, but the publisher says sales in other markets will continue.

Editorial note: This article summarises reported statements and legal developments. Readers should consult official court records and current UK government guidance for the latest position on Palestine Action’s legal status.

Source: Reuters, October 14, 2026.