LONDON: More than 150 writers and public figures have urged the UK government to amend its ban on Palestine Action, describing the measure as “draconian” after Irish author Sally Rooney announced she was halting sales of her books in Britain.
The open letter, published on Wednesday, was signed by prominent figures including Nobel laureates Annie Ernaux and Anne Carson.
“Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public,” the letter stated.
The controversy follows last week’s announcement by Rooney and her publisher, Faber, that sales of her books in the UK would end because of restrictions arising from her support for Palestine Action.
The Labour government proscribed the group as a terrorist organisation in July 2025, a decision that has drawn criticism and prompted thousands of arrests among people protesting against the ban.
The proscription places Palestine Action on the same legal blacklist as Hamas and Hezbollah. Under UK law, membership of, support for or funding of a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence.
Rooney, who lives and works in Ireland, has repeatedly expressed support for Palestine Action and said she intends to provide funding to the group. The organisation is not proscribed in Ireland.
Faber said the UK ban prevented it from legally transferring royalties earned from Rooney’s books to the author.
Rooney’s best-selling works include Normal People and Intermezzo. The dispute has renewed debate over the impact of the proscription on freedom of expression and the availability of literary works in Britain.