Court informed of possible withdrawal of Sally Rooney books from UK sale due to Palestine Action ban

Irish writer Sally Rooney has informed the High Court that it is "almost certain" she will be unable to release new novels in the United Kingdom and might have to remove her current works from sale due to the government ban on Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation.

Rooney warned that UK laws may prevent her from receiving royalties from her British publisher or the BBC, as such payments could expose them to accusations of funding terrorism. In August, she stated her intention to use these royalties to continue supporting Palestine Action.

The organization was outlawed in July after the home secretary accused it of causing serious property damage. The groups co-founder is contesting the ban in the High Court, claiming it infringes on the right to protest. Rooney, author of Normal People, which became a highly viewed BBC drama, has voiced support for efforts to overturn the prohibition.

In two witness statements submitted to the court, Rooney asserted that she believes Israel committed genocide in Gaza, and described Palestine Actions actions in the UK as part of "a long and proud tradition of civil disobedience the deliberate breaking of laws as an act of protest." She added, "I have publicly endorsed direct action, including property sabotage, for climate justice. It follows that I should support similar tactics to prevent genocide."

Israel has consistently denied that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide, claiming they are measures of self-defense. Rooney emphasized that the ban on Palestine Action under terrorism laws carries significant consequences for her career and freedom of expression.

She receives royalties from BBC adaptations of her novels, but after announcing her plans to channel them toward Palestine Action, she was advised that receiving such payments could violate terrorism laws. The independent producer of the adaptations informed her agent that legal counsel indicated sending her royalties could be considered a terrorism offense if it was suspected the funds would support Palestine Action.

"It is therefore unclear whether any UK company can continue to pay me, even if previously agreed," Rooney said. Demonstrators appeared outside the High Court at the start of the proceedings.

Rooney told the court this uncertainty impacts both her and her publisher's rights. "If Faber & Faber Limited cannot legally pay me the royalties owed, my existing works might have to be withdrawn from sale," she explained. "My novels have been influential and widely read in Britain. Their removal would be an extreme state intervention into artistic expression. It is also nearly certain I cannot publish or produce new work in the UK while this ban is in place."

In September, Rooney publicly stated that she does not believe she can safely travel to the UK because of her position. "I remain a committed supporter of Palestine Action. If this support becomes criminalized, I will be effectively barred from speaking at public events in the UK," she said. She also questioned whether she could ever collaborate with British institutions like the BBC again.

The High Court hearing is ongoing, with the final day of submissions scheduled for next week.

Analysis: Sally Rooney’s UK Publishing Uncertainty Amid Palestine Action Ban

The ongoing High Court case highlights the unprecedented legal risks faced by authors whose public activism intersects with anti-terrorism legislation. Sally Rooney has made it clear that the UK ban on Palestine Action may prevent her from releasing new work, receiving royalties, or even maintaining her existing books on sale. These developments underline the direct impact of government policy on creative and financial rights.

Rooney’s statements connect her support for Palestine Action with her broader stance on civil disobedience, emphasizing deliberate law-breaking as a form of protest. The High Court challenge now tests the balance between state security concerns and freedom of expression, raising questions about whether artistic contributions can be restricted based on their association with political activism.

From a practical perspective, the uncertainty around royalty payments poses immediate consequences for publishers and producers. Faber & Faber and the BBC face potential legal exposure if funds are routed to Rooney, demonstrating how anti-terrorism laws can indirectly affect commercial and cultural operations. The case also highlights the chilling effect such legislation can have on public engagement and collaboration between artists and institutions.

As the High Court proceedings continue, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how activism-linked financial transactions are treated under UK law, with significant implications for authors, artists, and publishers alike.

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• Sally Rooney books may be withdrawn from UK sale over Palestine Action ban, court told