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Sally Rooney books withdrawn in UK over Palestine Action support

BBC NewsEnglish

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The Irish writer is best known for novels such as Normal People, Intermezzo and Conversations With Friends.

Summary from BBC News

Section: Culture
By: Steven McIntosh
Published: Oct 14, 2026, 4:56 PM UTC
Updated: Oct 14, 2026, 4:56 PM UTC

How other outlets describe it

The UK government is placing culture at the mercy of its criminal policies, which are coming into conflict with an increased determination to speak out against genocide and war. Sally Rooney’s case points to the threats levelled against artists and their livelihoods.

World Socialist Web SiteSally Rooney’s books withdrawn from UK sale to avoid prosecution over Palestine Action

Wife of UK prime minister's adviser was accused of backing the proscribed group after publisher Faber stopped supplying Sally Rooney’s novels to British bookshops

Middle East EyeMet Police rules pro-Palestine Action post by Sarah Helm not criminal

Topics in this story

#sally #rooney #books #withdrawn #palestine

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Background

Context from Wikipedia on the organisations, people and places in this story.

Palestine Action

British direct action group

Palestine Action, also called Pal Action, is a British direct action network founded in 2020 with the stated goal of "ending global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime". The organisation has been active in protests against the Gaza war in the United Kingdom, and many of its most high-profile actions such as the "Filton 24" case have been in response to the Gaza genocide. From the group's founding, the Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems has been its primary target.

Sally Rooney

Irish author

Sally Rooney is an Irish author. She is best known for her novels Conversations with Friends (2017), Normal People (2018), Beautiful World, Where Are You (2021), and Intermezzo (2024). The first two works were adapted into the television miniseries Normal People (2020) and Conversations with Friends (2022).

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12 other outlets reported this story in the last 3 days.

Opinion | Palestine Action, Sally Rooney’s books and the absurd fallout of a UK banSouth China Morning PostHong Kong SAR China16 hr. ago
Sally Rooney’s books withdrawn from UK sale to avoid prosecution over Palestine ActionWorld Socialist Web Site35 hr. ago
Sally Rooney's books to be withdrawn from UK market over Palestine Action supportThe Business Standard20 hr. ago
Sally Rooney Is Not Financially Supporting TerroristsBloomberg.comUnited States3 days ago
Sally Rooney’s books pulled from UK over Palestine Action supportAl JazeeraQatar3 days ago
Met Police rules pro-Palestine Action post by Sarah Helm not criminalMiddle East Eye19 hr. ago
National security adviser’s wife calls for end to Palestine Action banAOL.com10 hr. ago
Faber’s withdrawal of Sally Rooney’s novels exposes the idiocy of UK terrorism legislationThe ObserverUnited Kingdom44 hr. ago
Sally Rooney’s books are being withdrawn from sale in the UK due to her support for Palestine ActionScroll.inIndia3 days ago
Sally Rooney banned from selling books for courageous pro-Palestine standRevolutionary Communist Party16 hr. ago
Sally Rooney UK book shipments halted over Palestine Action terror banHariciTürkiye21 hr. ago
Sally Rooney’s books withdrawn from UK market over Palestine solidarityMonthly Review3 days ago

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Language: English

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Sally Rooney books withdrawn in UK over Palestine Action support

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Palestine Action

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