Faber ends UK supply of Sally Rooney books over Palestine Action funding pledge

Faber announced on October 14, 2026, that it would stop supplying Irish novelist Sally Rooney’s books in the United Kingdom, with her agreement, after her pledge to donate book revenues to Palestine Action. The publisher said British legislation prevented it from transferring her UK earnings.⁵⁴

Supply ends, sales elsewhere continue

The decision applies to every format of Rooney’s work supplied by Faber in the UK. In its statement, the publisher said sales elsewhere would continue. Associated Press reported that the practical consequences for British booksellers differed between copies already in shops and future supplies.⁵³

According to Rooney and her publisher, her commitment to give Palestine Action the proceeds from her books made it impossible for her to collect royalties on UK sales. The Guardian reported that Rooney warned her books could disappear from UK shops and that publication of future works there could be prevented.⁴²

In an opinion piece reported by the Guardian on October 14, Rooney said she intended to maintain her support for the group. She also said she had cancelled a journey to Britain to receive an award because she feared arrest. “I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences,” she wrote.²

The law behind the decision

Palestine Action was proscribed in the UK in July 2025, according to the Guardian. The newspaper said it is illegal to support groups prohibited under the Terrorism Act. Section 15 covers providing money or property for terrorism purposes where the provider knows or reasonably suspects how it will be used.²

Anyone convicted under Section 15 may be imprisoned for a maximum of 14 years. That provision is distinct from Section 13, under which most arrests and charges relating to alleged support for Palestine Action have been made, according to the Guardian. Section 13 carries a maximum six-month jail term.²

The Guardian reported that about 2,500 people had been charged over alleged support for the group and that none had yet been tried. It also reported that a challenge to the ban was scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court.²

Disagreement over the designation

The British government said Palestine Action had caused serious property damage and assessed that it committed and participated in terrorism, NPR reported. The government also said the group’s activities had become more frequent and severe since the beginning of 2024. Palestine Action describes its tactics as disruption directed at companies enabling Israel’s military-industrial complex.¹

The designation has drawn criticism from United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk, who said it appeared disproportionate and unnecessary. Amnesty International UK also criticised the breadth of Britain’s definition of terrorism, according to NPR. The dispute now affects the supply of Rooney’s books as well as the payment of her earnings.¹⁵