Sally Rooney books cannot be sold in UK, Faber says

Irish author Sally Rooney's books can no longer be sold in the UK because of her support for Palestine Action, her publisher Faber said on Wednesday.

Faber said current UK legislation had created circumstances in which it could not pass UK earnings to Rooney for her work. The publisher said that selling a writer's work without being able to pass on earnings was “an unconscionable situation”.

“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,” Faber said. It said it would continue to sell her work in other countries and regions.

Palestine Action was banned as a “terrorist” organisation by the UK government in July 2025. It is not banned in Ireland, where Rooney lives. The UK ban, which the organisation is appealing, makes it illegal in Britain to be part of, support or finance the group.

Rooney, the author of “Normal People” and “Intermezzo”, had previously said she would donate earnings to Palestine Action. In a statement shared with AFP, she said the fulfilment of contracts to publish her work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence.

Rooney said that after consultation and deliberation, and with her full agreement, Faber had determined that it could no longer supply her work in the UK. She said she was prepared to “accept the consequences” of her beliefs.

Britain's Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal against the ban from Palestine Action cofounder Huda Ammori next month. Thousands of people have protested against the ban and been detained, while rights groups and some public figures have condemned it as criminalising dissent.