Faber Ends UK Distribution of Sally Rooney’s Books Over Palestine Action Support

Publisher Faber & Faber announced it will no longer supply any of Irish novelist Sally Rooney’s works in the United Kingdom. The decision follows Rooney’s pledge to donate royalties from her books and television adaptations to Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July 2025. Under UK terrorism legislation, fulfilling contracts that could result in royalties for a proscribed group may constitute a criminal offence, making it legally impossible for Faber to pass earnings to Rooney.

Irish Daily MirrorRTE (Radio Television of Ireland)Sally Rooney’s Books Can No Longer Be Sold in the UK The Irish TimesEast Lothian CourierThe Jerusalem PostSally Rooney halts book sales in Britain and even cancelled a trip due to fears of arrest — what happened Sally Rooney's books will no longer be published in UK due to her support for Palestine Action The Guardian

Palestine Action, founded in 2020, conducts direct-action protests against Israel’s military actions and UK arms exports. The UK declared the group a terrorist organisation on 5 July 2025 after a break-in at RAF Brize Norton. Rooney announced in August 2025 that she would channel proceeds to the group and warned that her books could disappear from UK shelves.

Sally Rooney's books will no longer be published in UK due to her support for Palestine Action

• *Normal People* has sold more than 1 million copies in the UK; *Conversations with Friends* and *Beautiful World, Where Are You* have each sold over 500,000 copies.

The Irish Times

• More than 3,700 people have been arrested in the UK for alleged support of Palestine Action since the July 2025 ban, with approximately 2,500 charged.

The Guardian

Faber said “current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work,” calling the situation “unconscionable” for a publisher. The publisher will continue to sell Rooney’s catalogue in other territories.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

Rooney’s statement reiterated that the proscription makes the fulfilment of UK publishing contracts a “serious criminal offence.”

Sally Rooney’s Books Can No Longer Be Sold in the UK

Legal challenges to the proscription have produced divergent rulings. In February 2025, the High Court found the ban unlawful; the Court of Appeal reversed that decision in June 2025, upholding the ban. An appeal to the UK Supreme Court is scheduled for 4-5 November 2025, highlighting ongoing uncertainty about the legal framework governing support for proscribed groups.

Sally Rooney halts book sales in Britain and even cancelled a trip due to fears of arrest — what happened

• “Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work,” — Faber.

The Jerusalem Post

• “After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK. 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.” — Sally Rooney

Sally Rooney’s Books Can No Longer Be Sold in the UK

The Supreme Court appeal on 4-5 November 2025 will determine whether publishing restrictions on Rooney’s works remain in force and could set a precedent for how cultural figures’ charitable intentions intersect with terrorism legislation.

The Jerusalem Post