Sally Rooney uses BBC royalties to fund banned Palestine Action

Irish author Sally Rooney at a literary festival, known for her support of Palestinian causes (Illustrative image) (Photo by David Levenson/Getty Images) Getty Images

Bestselling author Sally Rooney has declared she will use royalties from BBC adaptations of her novels to support Palestine Action, despite the group being designated a terrorist organisation. The Normal People author made the announcement in The Irish Times, stating she intends to use proceeds from her work to continue supporting the group's "direct action against genocide".

The 34-year-old wrote: "My books, at least for now, are still published in Britain, and are widely available in bookshops and even supermarkets. In recent years the UK's state broadcaster has also televised two fine adaptations of my novels, and therefore regularly pays me residual fees."

She continued: "I want to be clear that I intend to use these proceeds of my work, as well as my public platform generally, to go on supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide in whatever way I can."

Previous support and boycott stance

Rooney previously voiced support for Palestine Action, writing in The Guardian in June that proscribing them would be an "alarming attack on free speech". In 2021, she refused to allow Beautiful World, Where Are You to be translated into Hebrew by an Israeli publisher, supporting calls to boycott Israel over its policies towards Palestinians.

The author argued that protest and free speech remain "an important part of our democracy" which will "always be protected". However, she acknowledged Palestine Action has carried out "an escalating campaign".

Terrorism designation consequences

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July. Supporting a proscribed group carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison under UK terrorism laws.

More than 700 people have been arrested since the ban was implemented. All but 10 were detained under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act for displaying supportive placards or signs.

Upcoming mass protest

The next mass protest against the ban has been announced for Wednesday 6 September in London. Organisers aim to sign up 1,000 people for the event, believing this would be enough to get the ban lifted.

A spokesperson for Defend our Juries said: "With all the real challenges facing the country, it's crazy that the Labour government has generated a political crisis over people quietly holding cardboard signs against genocide in Parliament Square. This won't be forgotten."

Sources used: "The Irish Times", "The Guardian"

Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.