Rooney Risks Terror Charge Over Palestine Action Donations

August 19, 2025 07:32 AM

Famed Irish author Sally Rooney, known globally for her critically acclaimed novels Normal People and Conversations With Friends, is at the center of a political and legal firestorm after declaring her intention to donate her literary earnings and BBC adaptation royalties to Palestine Action. Downing Street has issued a stern warning, stating that any support for the group, which was recently proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK, could constitute a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Sally Rooney, a 34-year-old novelist from County Mayo, Ireland, is a literary sensation. Her works, which explore themes of love, class, and modern life with nuanced, realistic dialogue, have sold millions of copies worldwide and earned her widespread critical acclaim. The BBC adaptations of her novels have further cemented her status as a cultural phenomenon.

In a powerful piece published in the Irish Times, Rooney affirmed her commitment to Palestine Action, a group that engages in direct action against what it calls "genocide" and "Israeli occupation." "If this makes me a ‘supporter of terror’ under UK law, so be it," she wrote, vowing to use her public platform and financial resources to aid the group's activities. While Palestine Action is not proscribed under Irish law, its designation as a terrorist organization in the UK places Rooney's pledge in direct conflict with the Terrorism Act.

The UK government's stance is unequivocal. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister reiterated on Monday that "support for a proscribed organisation is an offense under the Terrorism Act." They emphasized that while legitimate protest is permissible, backing a group like Palestine Action, proscribed in July based on security advice and assessments of "serious attacks" by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, is not. The warning comes as an 89-year-old protester was recently arrested during a demonstration in support of the group in London, highlighting the real-world implications of the law.

The case has drawn a sharp distinction between freedom of expression and the legal boundaries surrounding proscribed organizations. The Prime Minister's official spokesman carefully noted the difference between "showing support for a proscribed organisation, which is an offense," and "legitimate protest in support of a cause." However, for many, including Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, the ambassador of the state of Palestine in Ireland, Rooney's actions are a courageous and necessary form of activism. "Sally Rooney is using her voice to call out international law and human rights violations in Palestine," the ambassador said, expressing hope that Rooney's actions would lead to "practical actions that will stop the horrors we’re witnessing."

The BBC, which has a professional relationship with Rooney through the adaptations of her books, has distanced itself from the controversy. A spokesperson for the broadcaster stated that "matters relating to proscribed organisations are for the relevant authorities," confirming that Rooney is not a staff member and that there are no immediate plans for her to work on future projects with the corporation. The unfolding situation places Rooney in a position where her art and activism have converged, creating a significant legal and public relations challenge that could define her legacy as much as her celebrated novels.