Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be sold in the UK after her publisher said it could not pass on her earnings because she intended to donate them to Palestinian Action, a group designated as a terrorist organisation under British law.
Faber said the decision had been taken with the 35-year-old Irish author’s agreement, after legislation created a situation in which it could sell her work but not transfer the proceeds to her.
“Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work,” the publisher said. “To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.”
It added: “As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format.”
Rooney, whose novels include Normal People, has said she believes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel vehemently denies allegations of genocide.
She announced last year that she would donate proceeds from the British sales of her books to Palestinian Action, as well as using her public platform to support the group and direct action against what she described as genocide.
In a statement, Rooney said: “I have made every effort to be honest with the public about my beliefs and intentions, and I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences.”
Palestinian Action designation
Palestinian Action says it uses “disruptive tactics” against what it calls corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex. The group has targeted facilities linked to an Israeli weapons manufacturer and claimed responsibility for spray-painting two aircraft at Britain’s largest air force base.
It was also responsible for vandalising one of Donald Trump’s golf courses in Scotland, where activists painted the words “Gaza is not 4 sale”. Mr Trump described those responsible as “terrorists”.
The British Government designated Palestinian Action under terrorism legislation in July last year, saying it was responsible for serious damage to property and that its methods had become more aggressive.
It said the group’s activities met the threshold for terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000, and that it had assessed Palestinian Action as committing and participating in acts of terrorism.
The designation has prompted concerns over freedom of expression. UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged the Government to rescind it, saying the decision “appears disproportionate and unnecessary”. Amnesty International UK also said the UK had a “deeply flawed and overly broad definition of terrorism”.
Under the law, anyone providing financial assistance to Palestinian Action could face up to 14 years in prison. Rooney has said she stopped travelling from Ireland to the UK for award ceremonies and other events because she feared arrest.
She defended her position in an opinion article last year, writing: “if this makes me a ‘supporter of terror’ under UK law, so be it.”
Several thousand people in the UK have been arrested since the ban for supporting the group, mainly by carrying placards or wearing T-shirts. The designation has been challenged in court: the High Court ruled against it in February, before the Court of Appeal overturned that decision. The case is due to go before the UK’s highest court next month.
