Sally Rooney’s books pulled from UK shelves over her backing of Palestine Action

Rooney and her publisher end supply of books to UK retailers

The decision follows the UK government’s move to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in July 2025.

The following month, Rooney made clear that she intended to continue supporting the organisation through royalties from her writing.

However, the ban has created legal complications for the author and her publisher. Rooney warned that continuing to publish her books in Britain could carry legal risks, with fulfilling existing contracts potentially amounting to a “serious criminal offence”.

After considering the implications together, Rooney and Faber agreed to stop supplying her work to UK retailers.

“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,” she told the BBC.

Faber said the legislation meant it could no longer pass UK earnings from Rooney’s books on to the author.

The publisher described selling a writer’s work without being able to pay them as “an unconscionable situation for a publisher”.

Despite the halt in UK distribution, Rooney’s books will remain available in other countries, with Faber reaffirming its commitment to publishing her work internationally.

UK readers can still buy existing Sally Rooney book stock

The change has already affected digital editions, which have been removed from UK retailers. 

Readers may still find printed copies in bookshops, as shops are allowed to sell stock they purchased before the decision. 

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori welcomed Rooney’s decision to maintain her position despite the consequences for her publishing career. 

She described the novelist’s stance as “a brave and principled stand from the moment plans to ban Palestine Action were announced”.

Ammori also argued that the loss of Rooney’s books from the UK market raised broader concerns about freedom of expression.

She called it “a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action”.