The books of Irish writer Sally Rooney, author of the bestseller Normal People (published in Italy by Einaudi under the title Persone normali), can no longer be legally sold in the United Kingdom because of her support for Palestine Action, which was designated a terrorist organisation by the British government last year in a move that has drawn widespread international criticism.
The decision was announced by the award-winning author and her publisher, Faber.
“Current UK legislation has created a situation in which Faber cannot pay Sally Rooney the proceeds generated by her work in the UK. Consequently, in full agreement with Sally, we have decided to cease distributing her work in the UK, in any format,” the publisher said in a statement.
In August 2025, writing in The Irish Times, Rooney announced that she would use the proceeds from her work and her public platform to “continue to support Palestine Action”, despite the pro-Palestinian group having been outlawed by the Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In addition to royalties from book sales, the Irish writer receives income from the BBC, which co-produced and broadcast the television adaptations of her novels Normal People (2020), an international success, and Conversations with Friends (2022)
Since Palestine Action was banned, any form of support for the organisation has been prohibited, including displaying placards or wearing T-shirts bearing its name. According to Defend Our Juries, an organisation campaigning against the restrictions, more than 3,700 people have been detained by police during demonstrations in support of the group.
Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, has launched a legal battle against the government in an attempt to overturn the ban. In February, the High Court in London ruled in her favour, finding that the proscription constituted an unlawful interference with the right to protest. However, the ban remained in force pending an appeal.
In June, the Court of Appeal overturned that ruling, upholding the government’s decision as lawful. The hearing for the further appeal is scheduled for early next month.
