Full Breakdown
Sally Rooney’s Books Pulled from UK Shelves Amid Terror-Law Ban on Palestine Action
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
British publisher Faber & Faber announced on 14 October 2026 that it can no longer supply the works of Irish novelist Sally Rooney in the United Kingdom because her public support for the proscribed group Palestine Action makes the transfer of UK earnings a criminal offence under current anti-terror legislation. The decision, taken with Rooney’s agreement, means that all formats of her titles are being withdrawn from UK retailers, while existing stock may still be sold.
Background & Context
Palestine Action, a direct-action network targeting companies linked to Israel’s military, was designated a terrorist organisation by the UK government in mid-2025. Supporting the group now carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment. Rooney announced in 2025 that she would donate royalties and BBC-adaptation fees to the group and said she would accept any legal consequences. A High Court ruling earlier this year found the proscription “disproportionate” under the European Convention on Human Rights, but the Court of Appeal reinstated it. The matter is slated for the British Supreme Court on 4-5 November 2026.
Data & Statistics
- Nielsen BookScan recorded a 291 % surge in UK sales of Rooney’s novels, with 4,531 copies sold in the week following the withdrawal announcement.
- Independent bookshop Bookmarked in Bristol sold out its three copies within hours; similar sell-outs were reported in Kent, Sheffield and Galway.
Official Statements & Responses
Faber & Faber said UK law prevents it from passing on earnings to Rooney, describing the situation as “unconscionable” for a publisher, and affirmed it will continue to sell her titles elsewhere.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the proscription, calling it the result of a “rigorous and evidence-based process” endorsed by Parliament. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, while refusing further comment on the legal case, indicated the government is reviewing the broader implications of the ban.
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said she will raise the issue with the UK foreign secretary, noting the cross-border impact on Irish authors and publishers.
Criticism & Opposition
Writers and artists have condemned the ban as an attack on free expression. Juno Dawson called it “Orwellian suppression of ideas” and warned that “all writers should be” alarmed.
On-the-Ground Reports
Booksellers across the UK report empty shelves and frantic customers buying remaining copies as a form of protest. Gavin Boyter of *The Best of Times* noted that the UK’s main wholesaler marked every Rooney title as unavailable, while still listing unrelated titles such as *Mein Kampf*. In Northern Ireland, Lesley Price of Bridge Books reported an “inundation” of orders from Britain, despite receiving threats labeling her a “terrorist sympathiser.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Legal opinions diverge on whether the ban violates human-rights protections. The High Court’s 2022-2023 decision deemed the proscription disproportionate, whereas the Court of Appeal upheld it. No final judgment has yet been issued, leaving the precise legal standing unresolved pending the Supreme Court hearing.
What’s Next
The Supreme Court will consider the legality of the Palestine Action proscription on 4-5 November 2026. Meanwhile, Faber continues to sell Rooney’s books outside the UK, and activist groups are organising open letters and public campaigns urging the government to amend the anti-terror legislation.