Sally Rooney, the Irish author known for bestselling novels including “Normal People,” has become the subject of a publishing controversy in the United Kingdom. Her books have been withdrawn from U.K. distribution following her public statements of support for Palestine Action, a direct-action protest group that was designated as a terrorist organization in the U.K. in July 2025.
Rooney stated that after expressing her intention to continue supporting Palestine Action in an August 2025 opinion piece, the legal landscape shifted. She explained that fulfilling publishing contracts in the U.K. could now constitute a serious criminal offense under current legislation. In a joint statement with her publisher Faber, she indicated that the decision to cease U.K. distribution was made with her full agreement following consultation and deliberation.
Faber, her U.K. and Irish publisher, released a parallel statement addressing the practical difficulties created by the situation. The publisher noted that existing legislation in the U.K. makes it impossible to pass earnings from Rooney’s work to her while continuing to sell her books there. The publisher described this arrangement as untenable, leading to the decision to stop supplying her works in all formats within the U.K., though Faber indicated it would continue selling her works in other territories.
Palestine Action has described itself as pursuing direct action with the objective of ending what it characterizes as Israel’s military activities in Gaza. Rooney previously canceled a planned trip to England to receive an award, citing concerns about potential legal consequences. In her August op-ed, Rooney characterized the group’s activism as among the strongest voices in the U.K. opposing military action in the region.
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