Normal People author Sally Rooney says support for Palestine makes her books illegal in UK

As reported by The Independent, Rooney, who has long spoken out about the violence in Gaza and supplied financial support to Palestine Action, said in her statement, “I wrote an opinion piece expressing my intention to go on supporting Palestine Action, which is not a proscribed or otherwise prohibited group here in the Republic of Ireland. As a result, the fulfilment of contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence. After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK.” Rooney had previously revealed that she would also no longer receive BBC royalties for the series based on her work, for similar reasons. 

The government’s choice to make simply wearing a “Palestine Action” T-shirt a criminal offense has brought widespread condemnation from human rights groups both within the UK and elsewhere, especially considering the recent rise in white supremacist, anti-immigrant violence. For the outspoken Rooney, the loss of revenue will not deter her vocal support of the Palestinian cause, as she concludes her statement, “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.”