Sally Rooney’s Books Pulled from UK Shelves Amid Controversy Over Palestine Action Support

Sally Rooney confirmed that her publisher will cease supplying Normal People and her other works to UK bookshops because of her support for Palestine Action.

In 2025 the UK government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, a decision condemned by many pro‑Palestine advocates, including the bands Massive Attack and Primal Scream, who denounced the “ugly, unrecognisable” stance of the British government after the arrest of peaceful demonstrators at a Palestine Action rally in London that year.

Earlier this year three senior judges ruled that the ban on the group under anti‑terrorism legislation was unlawful and disproportionate. The Metropolitan Police announced they would halt arrests for showing support for Palestine Action while continuing to gather evidence for possible future prosecutions.

Nonetheless, Palestine Action, which states its aim is to “end global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime,” remains listed as a terrorist organisation.

Last August Rooney wrote an article for The Irish Times pledging to keep supporting Palestine Action and “direct action against genocide” with the proceeds from her books, adding, “If this makes me a supporter of terror under UK law, so be it.”

She explained that, consequently, fulfilling contracts to publish her work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence. After consultation and with her full agreement, her publisher Faber determined it can no longer supply her work within the UK. Rooney said she has been transparent about her beliefs and is prepared to accept the consequences.

Digital editions have already been withdrawn from sale in the UK, and while new copies of Normal People, Conversations With Friends and Beautiful World, Where Are You cannot be printed, retailers may still sell existing stock.

Palestine Action co‑founder Huda Ammori said the withdrawal of Rooney’s books represents “a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action.” She added that Rooney has refused to compromise her convictions despite considerable personal and professional cost, and that her work should be celebrated and widely available, not driven from British bookshops because she refuses to be complicit in the suppression of solidarity with the Palestinian people. “No author should have to choose between their principles and their freedom to publish,” Ammori continued.

Kerry Moscogiuri, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, warned that, whatever one’s views on Palestine Action, laws meant to combat terrorism should not silence artistic freedom or peaceful political dissent. “Writers should not see their books disappear from shelves because of their political beliefs, and people should not have to choose between expressing their conscience and pursuing their livelihoods.”

Last month Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop’ stadium tour of North America after calling for a “free Palestine” on stage. Since then he has donated his entire $1 million earnings from the tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians and announced a ‘Free Palestine Tour’, which has already sold out.

Meanwhile, Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja was arrested outside the Labour Party Conference for holding a sign that read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

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