Dozens of prominent writers, actors and activists have condemned the UK law used to proscribe Palestine Action, calling it a “repressive absurdity” in an open letter supporting Irish novelist Sally Rooney, whose books have been withdrawn from sale in the United Kingdom.
The move follows Rooney’s public support for Palestine Action, which the British government has designated as a terrorist organisation. Her publisher, Faber & Faber, confirmed that her books had been withdrawn from sale in the UK.
Actors and writers sign open letter
The signatories include actors Paul Mescal, who starred in the television adaptation of Rooney’s novel Normal People, Susan Sarandon and Tilda Swinton.
Broadcaster Gary Lineker and writers Arundhati Roy, Naomi Klein, JM Coetzee, Zadie Smith and William Dalrymple have also signed the letter.
Other signatories include filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, philosopher Slavoj Žižek, musician Kate Nash and Irish hip-hop group Kneecap.
“Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public,” the letter states.
It argues that withdrawing her work under anti-terror legislation undermines freedom of speech and expression.
Published on the cover of this week’s New Statesman magazine, the letter calls on the UK government to amend the legislation behind the decision. It comes two weeks before the Supreme Court is due to hear a case concerning the ban.
Publisher cites restrictions on UK earnings
Rooney’s publisher, Faber & Faber, said on Wednesday that the withdrawal followed circumstances in which it could not pass on UK earnings from her work to the author.
Continuing sales would place the publisher in what it described as an “unconscionable situation”.
Rooney has also warned that further publication of her work could constitute a “serious criminal offence”.
She said she had made “every effort to be honest” with the public about her beliefs and intentions and was “wholly prepared to accept the consequences”.
The withdrawal extends to e-books, although some physical copies of her books remain available in UK bookshops.
Rooney has sold more than six million books
Rooney has written four best-selling novels, which have sold more than six million copies worldwide.
The dispute has drawn attention to the implications of the UK’s proscription of Palestine Action for people and organisations expressing support for the group, as well as the potential legal and financial consequences for publishers.
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