Sally Rooney Pulls Books From UK Over Support for Banned Group
Irish novelist Sally Rooney says she is withdrawing her titles from British sale after directing royalties toward the banned organisation Palestine Action.
Key points
- Novelist Sally Rooney announced her books can no longer be sold in the United Kingdom due to her backing of Palestine Action.1,2,4
- The British government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist group in July 2025, a decision the activist organisation is currently challenging.2
- Rooney stated that legal restrictions on British royalties forced the withdrawal, and she cancelled travel to the UK over detention concerns.1,9
- London police reviewed an online comment about Rooney and the group by Sarah Helm, ultimately deciding not to pursue a criminal inquiry.11,14,15
Acclaimed Irish author Sally Rooney is pulling her novels from the British market due to her public backing of Palestine Action. Rooney, whose works include Normal People, Conversations with Friends, and Intermezzo, indicated she can no longer receive royalties originating in the United Kingdom. Her publisher, Faber, confirmed that her catalogue would no longer be sold across the country.1,2,3
Palestine Action was classified as a banned terrorist entity by British authorities in July 2025, placing it on the same official blacklist as militant factions such as Hamas. The organisation is appealing the designation, and it remains legal in Ireland, where Rooney lives. Following reports that she pledged her UK earnings to the group, Rooney explained that she withdrew her books and called off planned UK travel over apprehension about potential arrest.1,2,9
The controversy surrounding Rooney's withdrawal rippled into British politics after journalist and author Sarah Helm posted on social media referencing the author and Palestine Action. Helm is married to Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser to Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The Metropolitan Police evaluated the online post following complaints but concluded it fell below the threshold required for a criminal investigation.11,14,15
How the coverage differs
- Initial reports from outlets including The Guardian, BBC News, and South China Morning Post focused strictly on Rooney, her publisher Faber, and the implications of the UK's 2025 terrorism proscription.1,2,3
- Subsequent reporting by Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera tracked political fallout in London, specifically the Metropolitan Police's review of an online statement posted by Sarah Helm, the spouse of the prime minister's national security adviser.11,14,16
Sources · the original reporting
- 1Sally Rooney says she can no longer sell books in UK due to Palestine Action support ↗The Guardian · World · GB · 14 Oct 2026, 1:19 pm UTC
- 2Sally Rooney books can’t be sold in UK amid Palestine Action ban, publisher says ↗South China Morning Post · HK · 14 Oct 2026, 4:41 pm UTC
- 3Sally Rooney books withdrawn in UK over Palestine Action support ↗BBC News · World · GB · 14 Oct 2026, 4:56 pm UTC
- 4Sally Rooney books removed from UK shelves over Palestine Action support ↗ABC News (AU) · AU · 14 Oct 2026, 7:28 pm UTC
- 5Sally Rooney's books no longer sold in U.K. over support for banned pro-Palestinian group ↗The Hindu · IN · 14 Oct 2026, 7:39 pm UTC
- 6Sally Rooney’s books taken off shelves in Britain ↗RNZ · World · NZ · 14 Oct 2026, 9:03 pm UTC
- 7How Sally Rooney's support for Palestine Action led to UK exodus ↗ABC News (AU) · AU · 15 Oct 2026, 2:35 am UTC
- 8Palestine book co-written by Alana Hadid pulled from Random House just before release ↗The Guardian · World · GB · 15 Oct 2026, 2:00 pm UTC
- 9Sally Rooney's books will no longer be sold in U.K. after Palestinian Action support ↗NPR · World · US · 16 Oct 2026, 11:30 am UTC
- 10Sally Rooney can’t sell her books in UK over support for Palestine Action ↗Al Jazeera · QA · 16 Oct 2026, 4:54 pm UTC
- 11UK police assess Palestine Action post by security adviser’s wife ↗Middle East Eye · 16 Oct 2026, 5:48 pm UTC
- 12UK PM adviser’s wife expresses ‘support’ for Palestine Action ↗Al Jazeera · QA · 16 Oct 2026, 6:26 pm UTC
- 13Sarah Helm is speaking 'common sense' on Palestine Action, says Zack Polanski ↗Middle East Eye · 17 Oct 2026, 10:32 am UTC
- 14Met Police rules Sarah Helm's post backing Palestine Action not criminal ↗Middle East Eye · 17 Oct 2026, 6:24 pm UTC
- 15No action to be taken against wife of PM’s aide over Palestine Action post ↗The Guardian · World · GB · 17 Oct 2026, 7:47 pm UTC
- 16UK police rule out probe into Palestine Action post by PM adviser’s wife ↗Al Jazeera · QA · 18 Oct 2026, 4:46 am UTC
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