Sally Rooney says her books can no longer be supplied in the United Kingdom after her publisher, Faber, concluded that continuing to publish them could breach UK counter-terrorism laws because of her support for Palestine Action, per lithub.com.
The Irish novelist said on October 14 that Faber had decided, with her agreement, to stop supplying her novels in the UK after she publicly said she would continue supporting Palestine Action.
In a statement to The Guardian, Rooney said Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025. She said that, after writing an opinion piece the following month expressing her intention to keep supporting the group, fulfilling her UK publishing contracts could now constitute a serious criminal offence.
Faber said it could no longer pass on UK earnings to Rooney and would cease supplying her work in the UK in any format. The publisher said the decision was taken “in full agreement” with the author.
The withdrawal does not amount to a blanket removal of all existing copies. Faber has clarified that books already held by UK retailers will not be removed from sale, but no new stock will be supplied.
Rooney said she had made every effort to be open about her beliefs and intentions and was prepared to accept the consequences. Faber will continue to publish and distribute her work outside the UK.
Palestine Action was added to the UK’s list of proscribed organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000 on July 5, 2025. Membership of, or support for, a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence in the UK. The group is challenging its proscription, but remains banned while the legal process continues.
Rooney’s UK sales are substantial: her breakthrough novel Normal People has sold more than one million copies in Britain, according to The Irish Times.
The dispute highlights the legal consequences of the UK’s proscription regime for public figures and publishers. Rooney, best known for Normal People and Conversations with Friends, has been a prominent supporter of Palestinian rights and has said some book royalties would go to Palestine Action.
•Featured image: Sally Rooney/lithub.com