Sally Rooney's Works Pulled From UK Market Amid Controversy

WHO:

CNN - Sally Rooney, Irish novelist, known for novels including “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends”

CNN - Faber, Rooney's publisher

CNN - Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group banned as a terrorist organization by the UK government

CNN - Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action

WHAT:

[07:51 AM EDT] - CBS News - Sally Rooney stated, "I want to be clear that I intend to use these proceeds of my work, as well as my public platform generally, to go on supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide in whatever way I can."

[07:51 AM EDT] - CBS News - The British government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025, citing the group's history of criminal damage and escalating attacks on defense infrastructure.

[07:51 AM EDT] - CBS News - The group claimed responsibility for breaking into RAF Brize Norton and damaging aircraft, with British police estimating the cost of the damage at around $9.4 million.

[07:51 AM EDT] - CBS News - The average age of those arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action is 59, compared to 28 for other terrorism-related arrests.

CNN - Rooney stated that her plans to use royalties to support Palestine Action could "constitute a serious criminal offence."

CNN - Faber confirmed that it will sell Rooney's works in other territories but not in the UK.

CNN - Rooney's public support for Palestine Action has raised concerns that continuing publication and handling UK earnings could create criminal liability.

Deadline - Rooney stated that she and publisher Faber agreed they "can no longer supply" her work in the United Kingdom, as it could "constitute a serious criminal offence."

CNN - Rooney's books will no longer be sold in Britain due to her plans to use royalties to support Palestine Action, as confirmed by her publisher Faber.

CNN - Faber stated that "current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work."

CNN - More than 3,000 people have been arrested for holding signs in support of Palestine Action since its proscription.

CNN - Rooney stated, “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.”

CNN - Faber described the situation as “an unconscionable situation for a publisher” regarding the inability to pass earnings to Rooney.

CNN - Rooney's books will no longer be sold in Britain due to her plans to use royalties to support Palestine Action

CNN - Faber stated it can no longer supply Rooney's works in the UK in any format, but will sell her works elsewhere

CNN - More than 3,000 people have been arrested for holding signs in support of Palestine Action

WHERE:

CNN - United Kingdom, where Rooney's books will no longer be sold

CNN - Royal Air Force’s Brize Norton base, site of a break-in linked to Palestine Action

WHEN:

CNN - The Supreme Court is due to hear an appeal regarding the ban on Palestine Action next month.

CNN - The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization last year

CNN - The High Court ruled in favor of Huda Ammori in February, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in June

CNN - The Supreme Court is due to hear an appeal next month

WHY:

CNN - Faber described the situation as "an unconscionable situation for a publisher" regarding the inability to pass earnings to Rooney.

IJR - Faber called the inability to pass earnings to Rooney untenable.

IJR - Concerns about criminal liability for continuing publication and handling UK earnings led to the decision to stop supplying Rooney's books in the UK.

CNN - Rooney's public support for Palestine Action raised concerns about criminal liability for continuing publication and handling UK earnings

CNN - Faber described the inability to pass earnings to Rooney as an unconscionable situation for a publisher

HOW:

CNN - Rooney submitted a witness statement to London’s High Court indicating that her support for Palestine Action could lead to her books being withdrawn from sale in Britain.

CNN - Rooney submitted a witness statement to London’s High Court in support of a legal challenge over the ban on Palestine Action, indicating her plans could lead to her books being withdrawn from sale in Britain.

CNN - Rooney submitted a witness statement to London’s High Court in support of a legal challenge over the ban on Palestine Action

IJR - Faber and Rooney agreed to stop supplying her books in the UK due to the legal implications of her support for Palestine Action

(UPDATED October 15, 2026 13:07 UTC)

Sally Rooney has made it clear that she plans to use the proceeds from her work and her public platform to support Palestine Action and direct action against genocide. The British government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025, citing their history of criminal damage and attacks on defense infrastructure, including a break-in at RAF Brize Norton that caused around $9.4 million in damage. Interestingly, the average age of those arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action is 59, which is significantly older than the average age of 28 for other terrorism-related arrests.

(UPDATED October 15, 2026 04:59 UTC)

In a significant legal development, Rooney has indicated that her plans to use royalties to support Palestine Action could potentially lead to serious criminal charges. Faber has confirmed that while it will sell Rooney's works in other territories, they will not be available in the UK due to concerns about the implications of her support. Additionally, Rooney submitted a witness statement to London’s High Court, warning that her actions could result in her books being withdrawn from sale in Britain.

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 23:00 UTC)

Rooney's public support for Palestine Action has sparked concerns that continuing to publish her work in the UK could lead to criminal liability. In response, Rooney announced that she and her publisher, Faber, have agreed they can no longer supply her work in the United Kingdom, as it may constitute a serious criminal offense. Faber has described the situation as untenable, citing the inability to pass earnings to Rooney.

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 22:01 UTC)

Sally Rooney's books will no longer be sold in Britain due to her decision to use royalties to support Palestine Action, a move confirmed by her publisher, Faber. The company stated that current UK legislation prevents them from passing on earnings to Rooney, which has raised concerns about criminal liability for continuing publication. Next month, the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal regarding the ban on Palestine Action, amidst a backdrop of over 3,000 arrests for individuals supporting the cause.

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 19:06 UTC)

Rooney expressed his commitment to transparency, stating, “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.” Meanwhile, Faber characterized the current predicament as “an unconscionable situation for a publisher” due to the challenges in passing earnings to Rooney. Looking ahead, the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal concerning the ban on Palestine Action next month.

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 18:03 UTC)

Sally Rooney's books will no longer be sold in the United Kingdom because she plans to use her royalties to support Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group that has been banned as a terrorist organization by the UK government. Rooney's publisher, Faber, announced it can no longer supply her works in the UK but will continue to sell them elsewhere, citing concerns about legal implications tied to her support for the organization. This decision comes amid a backdrop of significant unrest, with over 3,000 people arrested for showing support for Palestine Action, and the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal regarding the group's status next month.