McEntee to raise Sally Rooney book sales withdrawal with UK foreign secretary
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee plans to discuss the withdrawal of Sally Rooney's books from the UK market with the British foreign secretary. The publisher Faber & Faber ceased distribution due to Rooney's support for Palestine Action, which is designated as a terrorist-supporting organization in the UK.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of international law, freedom of expression, and the legal consequences of supporting controversial activist groups.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee will speak directly to Britain’s foreign secretary Ed Miliband after it emerged the work of award-winning Irish author Sally Rooney will no longer be distributed in Britain due to her support for direct action group Palestine Action.
McEntee said she was “shocked” when she read the news about the bestselling writer’s work, which will be withdrawn in the UK as publishers Faber & Faber can no longer pass on her royalties because of her support for UK-based direct action group Palestine Action.
Rooney donated some of the proceeds from the sale of her books to support Palestine Action, which was proscribed in the UK in July last year as a terrorism-supporting organisation. It is an offence under the UK’s Terrorism Act to support banned organisations.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in