Sally Rooney, author of Normal People, could face arrest in UK over support to Palestine; social media divided
Sally Rooney faces arrest threat, what happened
The Home Office proscribed Palestine Action last month under the Terrorism Act. This makes it illegal to show support for the group, with punishment of up to 14 years in prison.
Rooney, 34, said she plans to donate her royalties from British book sales and BBC adaptations of her novels to the group. Writing in the Irish Times, she reaffirmed, 'I intend to use these proceeds of my work, as well as my public platform generally, to go on supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide in whatever way I can.'
She also criticized the arrests of over 500 people in London last weekend for holding placards reading 'I oppose genocide; I support Palestine Action.' Rooney wrote, 'In this context I feel obliged to state once more that, like the hundreds of protesters arrested last weekend, I too support Palestine Action. If this makes me a 'supporter of terror' under UK law, so be it.'
Why is it an offense?
Legal experts warn her stance could have serious consequences. Lawyer Sadakat Kadri told The Guardian, 'Receiving money with the intention of using it to support terrorism is an offense under Section 15 of the 2000 Act. That means Rooney could be arrested without a warrant as a 'terrorist.'' He added that proscribing Palestine Action was a 'shameful attack' on free speech.
BBC and publishers under pressure
The BBC now faces calls to remove Rooney's dramas from iPlayer. Lord Walney told the i Paper the broadcaster may have to 'break ties' with her. Groups including the Jewish Leaders Council and Campaign Against Antisemitism have also urged the BBC to act.
Her publisher, Faber & Faber, has been warned it may also have to reconsider its partnership with the author if she follows through on her pledge.
Who is Sally Rooney
Have you heard of Normal People or Conversations with Friends? If yes, then you already know Sally Rooney, the Irish novelist behind some of the most talked-about books of the last decade.
Born in 1991, Rooney has become one of the most influential young writers of her generation. Her first book, Conversations with Friends (2017), quickly put her in the spotlight. But it was Normal People (2018) that turned her into a literary star. The novel won the Costa Book Award and later became a hugely popular BBC and Hulu series in 2020, which Rooney co-wrote.
Her third book, Beautiful World, Where Are You (2021), also became a '#1 New York Times Bestseller' according to Amazon, and in 2024 she released her fourth novel, Intermezzo. Across her four novels, Rooney's works have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold worldwide, especially in the US and China.
Rooney's stories often explore love, friendship, and growing up, making her especially popular among millennial readers. In 2022, Time magazine even named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Social media erupts in debate
The news started an online debate that quickly escalated, with fans and critics taking strong stands. One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'Sally Rooney is an Irish novelist who supports Palestine Action. She is under threat of arrest and imprisonment by the Israel-fawning UK #LabourParty for being a checks notes a TERRORIST. This is just state-mandated abuse masquerading as lawfare. I support #SallyRooney.'
Sally Rooney is an Irish novelist who supports Palestine Action 🇵🇸❤️👍She is under threat of arrest and imprisonment by the Israel fawning UK #LabourParty for being a *checks notes* a TERRORISTThis is just state mandated abuse masquerading as lawfare. I support 🇮🇪 #SallyRooney pic.twitter.com/X5vlbzACm7
Another echoed similar concerns, stating, 'Meanwhile, your silence about Sally Rooney, a woman who is actually being threatened with the possibility of arrest for the mere crime of expressing opposition to genocide, and support for other like-minded opponents, is deafening.'
Meanwhile, your silence about Sally Rooney, a woman who is actually being threatened with the possibility of arrest for the mere crime of expressing opposition to genocide, and support for other like-minded opponents, is deafening
On the other side, some voices showed support. One user wrote, 'Her books are great but I won't read, or watch their adaptations, anymore. If they arrest grannies protesting on the street, then they should arrest her. No.10 warns author Sally Rooney her support for banned group could breach UK terror law.'
Her books are great but won't read, or watch their adaptions, anymore.If they arrest Grannies protesting on the street, then they should arrest her.No.10 warns author Sally Rooney her support for banned group could breach UK terror law | Euronews https://t.co/VkkheJPsUZ
Another comment added, 'Time to arrest and jail these virtue-signalling luvvies who think the law doesn't apply to them.'
Rooney has consistently expressed support for Palestine. In the past, she took part in a boycott of Israeli publishers and even refused to let her 2021 novel Beautiful World, Where Are You be translated into Hebrew by an Israeli firm.
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