Irish novelist Sally Rooney has pledged to keep supporting Palestine Action even after the U.K. outlawed the group as a terrorist organization. Her vow, published in the Irish Times, could leave one of literature’s most prominent pro-Palestinian voices open to arrest on terrorism charges.
Sally Rooney could be arrested on terrorism charges for supporting Palestine Action.

Key Takeaways:
- Rooney publicly reaffirmed her backing of Palestine Action in the Irish Times.
- The U.K. government has designated Palestine Action a terrorist group.
- Supporting a proscribed organization could expose Rooney to terrorism-related arrest.
- The bestselling author has long been among the literary world’s loudest pro-Palestinian advocates.
An Author Under Scrutiny
Sally Rooney, the bestselling Irish novelist whose works have redefined millennial fiction, now finds her political commitments carrying grave legal stakes. Long known as “one of the literary world’s most vocal pro-Palestinian voices,” Rooney reiterated her allegiance to Palestine Action in a Saturday piece for the Irish Times.
The Terror Designation
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, placing the direct-action network on a list that criminalizes material support. Under U.K. law, individuals who express backing for a designated group can face arrest and prosecution on terrorism charges.
Saturday’s Statement
Undeterred, Rooney “vowed to support Palestine Action,” lauding the activists’ tactics and objectives. Her declaration appeared just days after the organization’s proscription, underscoring a fierce commitment that could now invite law-enforcement attention.
What Happens Next?
Rooney’s stance spotlights an escalating clash between national security policy and political dissent. As governments move to broaden terror listings, artists and intellectuals who align with radical movements may confront unprecedented personal jeopardy—raising new questions about the limits of free expression and solidarity.
For Rooney, whose novels chart the complexities of intimacy and power, the ultimate test of conviction may soon move from the page to the courtroom.