
Irish author Sally Rooney has told the High Court it is "almost certain" she cannot publish new novels in the UK and may have to withdraw her current books because of the banning of Palestine Action under terrorism laws.
Rooney says UK legislation may mean she cannot be paid royalties by her British publisher or the BBC because it could leave both at risk of being accused of funding terrorism.
In August she said she intended to use royalties "to go on supporting Palestine Action."
The group was banned in July after the home secretary accused it of causing serious damage to property. Its co-founder is challenging that ban in the High Court, arguing it interferes with the right to protest.
The author of Normal People, which was adapted into one of the most watched BBC dramas of recent years, has supported the campaign to reverse the ban.
In two witness statements provided to the High Court, Rooney said she believed that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza - and Palestine Action's activity in the UK was from a "long and proud tradition of civil disobedience - the deliberate breaking of laws as an act of protest."
She goes on: "I myself have publicly advocated the use of direct action, including property sabotage, in the cause of climate justice. It stands to reason that I should support the same range of tactics in the effort to prevent genocide."
Israel has regularly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide and says they are justified as a means of self-defence.
Rooney said the ban on Palestine Action under terrorism laws also had far reaching consequences for her as an author and her right to free expression.
She explained she periodically receives royalties from the BBC's adaptions.
In August she declared in an Irish Times article that she intended to use those royalties "to go on supporting Palestine Action."
Following that statement, she said she had been advised that any such payment to her for those televised dramatisations could be a breach of terrorism laws.
That warning had come from the independent producer of the two BBC dramatisations of her novels. It told her agent that it had received "unambiguous legal advice" that if it knew or suspected that Rooney was using royalties from the TV dramas to fund Palestine Action, then sending her the money would be a terrorism offence.
"It is therefore unclear whether any UK company can continue to make payments to me, even when it had agreed to do so," said Rooney.
Rooney told the court that this legal uncertainty affected her rights as an artist - and her publisher's too.
"If ... Faber & Faber Limited are legally prohibited from paying me the royalties I am owed, my existing works may have to be withdrawn from sale," she said.
"My novels have been influential and popular in Britain, where I am among the best-selling literary authors of the last decade.
"The disappearance of my work from bookshops would mark a truly extreme incursion by the state into the realm of artistic expression.
"It is also almost certain that I can no longer publish or produce any new work within the UK while this proscription remains in effect."
Rooney publicly revealed in September that she did not believe she could travel to the UK anymore because of her stance.
"I am and will continue to be a committed supporter of Palestine Action. If that support is criminalised, I will effectively be prevented from speaking at any future public events in the UK.
"Is it likely that I could ever again collaborate with British public institutions like the BBC as I have done in the past?"
The hearing continues through Thursday with a final day of submissions next week.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Gaza Strip sees flooding after heavy rainfall25.11.2025 - 2
People are getting their news from AI – and it’s altering their views19.12.2025 - 3
Auschwitz Committee wants German auction of Holocaust items scrapped15.11.2025 - 4
Equality requires universal draft, participation in economy and workforce, MK Liberman says25.12.2025 - 5
Twins were the norm for our ancient primate ancestors − one baby at a time had evolutionary advantages13.12.2025
Israel kidnaps PIJ terrorist in covert op. in Hamas-controlled Gaza in pursuit of Ran Gvili
6 Solid Vehicle Fix Administrations to Keep Your Vehicle in Prime Condition
Exclusive-Head of Pemex's production arm to step down in coming days, sources say
Curl Up With Some Hot Chocolate And Watch Mighty Car Mods Explore Japan In A Honda City Turbo II
Bold Colors, Playful Shapes, Handmade Textures: This Mexico City Home Is 100% Joyful!
10 High priority Contraptions for Tech Aficionados
NASA’s Pandora telescope will study stars in detail to learn about the exoplanets orbiting them
Reports: Germany plans expansion of foreign intelligence powers
Figure out How to Recognize Early Indications of Depressions













