Irish author Sally Rooney is facing potential legal and professional repercussions following her public support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group banned by the UK government in July and now legally equated with terrorist organizations[[1]]. The situation raises complex questions about artistic freedom and the limits of political expression, as Rooney fears her books may be removed from sale and her ability to publish in the UK is threatened. With over 2,000 arrests made during protests against the ban[[1]], the case highlights increasing scrutiny of individuals expressing solidarity with Palestine.
Irish author Sally Rooney says she fears she may be unable to publish new books and could see her existing works removed from sale in the United Kingdom due to her public support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group recently outlawed by the British government. The situation highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by individuals and organizations expressing solidarity with Palestine amid heightened tensions in the region.
The British government proscribed Palestine Action in July, equating the group legally with organizations like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS). Supporting or belonging to the group is now punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Government Ban Follows Acts of Sabotage
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The ban followed several acts of sabotage carried out by Palestine Action, including a paint attack on a British air force base causing approximately £7 million (roughly $8.1 million USD) in damages. In March, the group also damaged a golf club owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland and infiltrated a British facility belonging to an Israeli arms company.
Rooney publicly voiced her support for Palestine Action in an opinion piece published in the Irish Times in August, stating her intention to continue using her income and public platform to support the group despite the evolving situation in the UK.
Production Company Warned Rooney’s Agent
According to statements made in court, the production company Element Pictures, responsible for the BBC series “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends,” contacted Rooney’s agent in September. The company reportedly warned that making payments to Rooney could constitute a breach of British law.
Rooney also stated in court that it was unclear whether her publisher, Faber & Faber, would be able to pay her royalties for book sales, potentially leading to her existing works “being taken off sale in the UK.” Both the production company and the publisher have not yet commented on the matter.
Rooney Has Repeatedly Criticized Israel
“The disappearance of my books from shops would be a truly extreme act of state intervention in the realm of artistic freedom,” Rooney said in her statement. “It is therefore unclear whether any British company can continue to pay me, even if they are willing to do so,” she added. The author has accused Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip, a charge Israel vehemently denies.
Rooney has a history of taking a stance against Israel. In 2021, she declined to sell translation rights to her novel “Beautiful World, Where Are You” to an Israeli publisher. In September, Rooney stated she was no longer able to travel to the UK due to her support for Palestine Action.
Legal Challenge to Group’s Ban
Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, is currently challenging the group’s ban in the High Court, arguing it violates the right to protest. The lawyer representing Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood stated that the ban had achieved its intended effect of “disrupting the escalating behavior of Palestine Action” and had “not prevented people from protesting in favor of the Palestinian people or against Israel’s actions in Gaza.”
The lawyer argued the ban was “proportionate,” asserting that the British Parliament has the authority to define terrorism, which can include severe property damage.
Ben Saul, the lawyer for the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism, countered in a statement that the ban represented “an unlawful intrusion into international law.” He added, “There is also agreement, or emerging consensus, that the definition of terrorism does not extend to serious property damage.” The final day of the judicial review of the ban was Tuesday, with a judgment expected at a later date.
Over 2,000 Arrests at Protests
The ban on the pro-Palestinian group has been a source of ongoing public debate in the UK, sparking frequent protests. Since the ban was implemented in July, more than 2,000 people have been arrested for holding signs reading “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” including over 100 on Wednesday outside a courthouse, according to police reports.
The UN and human rights organizations like Amnesty International have criticized the ban as disproportionate, arguing it restricts the freedom of expression for peaceful protesters.
