Irish novelist Sally Rooney, author of internationally successful novels including the recently released Beautiful World, Where Are You, is at risk of arrest under the UK’s Terrorism Act. This follows a public declaration of her support for Palestine Action. Just last month, the UK designated this group as a terrorist organization. Within hours, this designation had raised eyebrows over whether that may expose Rooney’s plans to use the profits from her literary work to fund their cause.
In a public statement released on January 16, Rooney made her commitment to Palestine Action known. Using the royalties from her publications and her platform to advocate for direct action against what she calls genocide, this is her future. Yet, this pledge is drawing much broader interest due to the heavy legal consequences tied to the act of aiding a proscribed organization.
According to the UK government, this position of solidarity with Palestine Action is a punishable crime. This constitutes an act of terrorism per the Terrorism Act. A spokesperson for No 10 emphasized that “support for a proscribed organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act and obviously the police will, as they have set out, implement the law as you’d expect.” Under this law, Rooney could be prosecuted. If she shares those ideas at a UK children’s book festival, or takes part in public debate about her position, she is risking her future.
In the last few weeks, police have arrested more than 700 people under the Terrorism Act for supporting Palestine Action. All of these arrests were made at a peaceful protest on August 9th, inside Parliament Square, London. According to legal experts, what Rooney did would put her in the same position under intense scrutiny. Solicitor Sadakat Kadri remarked that “there’s certainly a risk she’d fall foul” of the law, highlighting the precarious nature of public support for proscribed organizations.
Rooney’s relationship with the UK’s state broadcaster has been equally criticized. Adaptations The BBC has adapted two of her novels and was still regularly paying residual fees to the late author. This connection brings up the prospect of the criminal liability of the broadcaster herself too. According to legal analyst Mike Schwarz, anyone providing funds that could be perceived as supporting terrorism runs a “very real risk of serious police interest and prosecution for grave offences in the UK.”
In light of these developments, Rooney stated, “My books, at least for now, are still published in Britain, and are widely available in bookshops and even supermarkets.” She further elaborated on her dedication to Palestine Action by asserting, “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.”
Rooney’s pledge has ushered in a new and boisterous debate over the issues of expressive freedom. It raises troubling questions about the new limits of activism in our increasingly hostile and militarized politics. Kadri noted, “It’s just a particularly stark illustration of the measure’s gross disproportionality.” He differentiated between aligning with a proscribed group and engaging in peaceful, legal protest. He added, the current dictatorial climate is creating tremendous obstacles for artists and organizers alike.
In recent months, authorities have increased enforcement against activists associated with Palestine Action. Rooney’s case underscores that even more dire consequences await when artistic expression and deep political activism collide. As still a highly dynamic situation, broad conversations continue on the tension between national security and personal freedoms.