Sally Rooney books withdrawn from UK sale over Palestine Action support

Irish author Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be sold in the United Kingdom following her decision to donate royalties to Palestine Action, an organization the UK has designated as a terrorist group.

Her publisher, Faber, announced the decision, stating that current UK legislation prevents them from transferring earnings from the UK to Rooney due to her support for the group. The publisher noted that being unable to pass on profits makes continuing sales a “disproportionate situation” for an editor. The decision to cease distribution in all formats was made in agreement with the author.

Palestine Action has been proscribed in the UK following various disruptive activities, including vandalism. Amnesty International has criticized the situation, stating that “writers should not see their books disappear from shelves because of their political convictions.”