Irish Writers Union expresses full solidarity with Mayo author Sally Rooney
The Irish Writers Union has expressed its full solidarity with Mayo author Sally Rooney as she experiences the withdrawal of sales of her books in the UK and the loss of other revenue from her writing due to her support for Palestine Action.
A statement by the union outlined: "In June 2025, the UK parliament declared Palestine Action a terrorist group, against the advice of the United Nations.
"The decision was immediately challenged by civil liberties groups and experts from the European court of human rights.
"When tested in the High Court, the decision was that the ban was ‘disproportionate and unlawful’ but that judgement was overturned in the court of appeal, leaving supporters of Palestine Action facing arrest and sentences of up to 14 years in prison.
"Almost four thousand people have been arrested under the law. A Supreme Court appeal has finished gathering evidence and a verdict is due before the end of the year.
"In Ireland, where Sally Rooney lives, it is not illegal to support Palestinian Action.
"Section 15 of the UK’s Terrorism Act makes it an offence if a person ‘provides money or other property, and knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that it will or may be used for the purposes of terrorism’.
Therefore the publisher, Faber, and other bodies like festival organisers, prize-giving organisations, and media organisations, are breaking the law if they hand over royalties and payments due to Sally Rooney as she has been unwavering in her support for Palestine Action.
"As Faber explained in their statement: ‘Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work.
'To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher.
‘As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format.’
"The Irish Writers Union was founded by writers concerned with censorship in Ireland and view these events from that tradition. The creative work of writers such as Sally Rooney should be celebrated and enjoyed, as well as remunerated.
"Sally Rooney should not be obliged to change her views and public statements as a precondition to being able sell her books in the UK
"We consider it admirable that Sally Rooney would rather experience significant material loss than change her principled beliefs. We are proud to add our voice to the many voices across the world who support Sally Rooney’s stand."