Faber, the UK publisher of author Sally Rooney, announced it will no longer supply her books in any format to UK retailers due to legal restrictions tied to her planned donation of proceeds to Palestine Action. The decision follows Rooney’s 2025 pledge to donate earnings from her novels and their adaptations to the group, which the UK government designated as a proscribed terrorist organization under terrorism legislation in 2023. Membership or support for the group carries a potential penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
Palestine Action, which describes itself as using “disruptive tactics” to target entities linked to Israel’s military-industrial complex, has claimed responsibility for incidents including a 2023 breach of RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, where activists spray-painted two aircraft blood red. The group also vandalized property linked to an Israeli weapons manufacturer and, in 2024, targeted a facility associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Israel denies allegations of genocide in Gaza, a claim Rooney has publicly endorsed.
The publisher’s statement cited current UK legislation as the reason for the withdrawal, stating that Faber cannot legally pass on earnings to Rooney under the circumstances. The company described the situation as “an unconscionable situation for a publisher” and said the decision was made “in full agreement with Sally.” Rooney has previously stated she believes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a position she reiterated in public statements.
The move has drawn attention to the broader implications of the UK’s terrorism designation for Palestine Action, which prohibits financial or material support. The designation was applied under the Terrorism Act 2000, which criminalizes actions that encourage or facilitate terrorism. The group’s activities have included direct actions against companies and institutions perceived to enable Israeli military operations, though it does not advocate for violence against individuals.
In a separate but related development, Sarah Helm, wife of Jonathan Powell—a senior national security adviser to Andy Burnham and a former senior aide in the UK government—publicly identified herself as a supporter of Palestine Action in an online post. Helm, a journalist and author, made the comment in response to criticism of Rooney’s stance on the platform X. Powell has been involved in high-level diplomatic engagements in the Middle East, including a recent trip to Israel amid tensions over the UK’s decision to impose sanctions and a trade ban on goods from West Bank settlements. The Israeli government responded by closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem.
The UK government has not commented directly on the publisher’s decision or the broader implications for free expression. Legal experts note that the terrorism designation does not explicitly prohibit authors from expressing political views but does restrict financial transactions tied to proscribed groups. Publishers and retailers are required to comply with anti-terrorism financing laws, which include due diligence obligations to prevent funds from reaching designated entities.
Rooney’s novels, including Normal People and Conversations with Friends, have been bestsellers in the UK and internationally. Her publisher’s decision marks a significant shift in the availability of her works in her home country, where she has been widely recognized as a prominent literary voice.