Sally Rooney to sponsor Palestine Action through book sales

In a clip from today's podcast, Laura and Seán dive into the controversy surrounding acclaimed Irish author Sally Rooney, after her statement in the Irish Times declaring that she will donate royalties from her books, including Normal People and Conversations with Friends, to Palestine Action, an organisation recently proscribed in the UK.

Rooney’s announcement has ignited a heated debate on the boundaries between political activism, free speech, and terrorism laws. Since Palestine Action was officially proscribed on July 5th, offering financial support could now be considered a breach of the UK’s Terrorism Act. What would this mean for publishers, booksellers, and even readers?

Laura and Seán unpack the legal and cultural implications of Rooney’s decision, the UK government’s response, and the wider debate about solidarity with Palestine, artistic responsibility, and the risks faced by public figures who take strong political stances. They also reflect on Rooney’s long-standing support for the BDS movement, her refusal to publish in Hebrew with a company based in occupied territories, and the wider impact on writers, actors, and cultural institutions associated with her work.

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