21.10.2026 21:12
Irish world-famous writer Sally Rooney’s support for "Palestine Action", which has been classified as a terrorist organization in the UK, has caused an uproar in the country. After Rooney announced that she would donate her royalties to the group, sales of her books in the UK were halted; the decision provoked a fierce backlash from hundreds of artists, including Nobel Prize-winning literary figures.
Sales of books by the famous Irish author Sally Rooney have been halted in the UK on the grounds that she supported the “Palestine Action” group, which has been added to the list of banned terrorist organizations in the UK. After the decision, the literary world rose up; more than 150 writers and artists, including Nobel Prize-winning literary figures, reacted by publishing a joint letter to the British government.
SHE HAD DONATED HER ROYALTIES TO SUPPORT PALESTINE
After the UK Labour Party government included the “Palestine Action” group in the list of terrorist organizations, providing financial or moral support to the group became a criminal offense. Author Sally Rooney had announced that she would transfer the royalty income from her works to this group. Following this, the author’s UK publisher Faber, stating that they could not make royalty payments due to legal regulations, completely stopped the distribution and sale of Rooney’s books in the country with Rooney’s approval.
OPEN LETTER TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FROM MORE THAN 150 ARTISTS
More than 150 artists and academics, including world-famous names such as Annie Ernaux, Anne Carson, Zadie Smith, Tilda Swinton and Paul Mescal, launched a signature campaign against the ban. In the published joint statement, it was stated: “Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books should be available to the public. Removing books from sale on the basis of poorly designed counter-terrorism laws is an attack on the fundamental principles of freedom of expression. We categorically reject all forms of censorship, direct or indirect.”
BAN DECISION IN THE HIGH COURT
While the annulment case filed against the decision to ban the pro-Palestinian group is expected to be heard by the UK High Court next month, author Rooney canceled her planned visits to the UK due to the risk of detention.