Sally Rooney, the wildly popular Irish poet and novelist—author of the best-seller Normal People—just issued a global call to action. She revealed that her advocacy for the pro-Palestinian organization Palestine Action has made her unable to safely enter the United Kingdom. This announcement comes on the heels of her years’ long criticism of Israel’s occupation and illegal military operations in occupied Palestine. Rooney is particularly concerned by the potential for arrest under UK terror laws. Her concerns stem from her personal radicalization through her participation in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Rooney’s literary star exploded worldwide with her second novel, Normal People, which was subsequently adapted into a critically acclaimed television series. Her imaginative work has led to numerous awards, including the 2020 Hans Christian Andersen Award. Her fourth book, “Intermezzo,” won the literature award at the Sky Arts Awards in Britain last fall. In light of all her accolades, Rooney’s advocacy for Palestinian rights has nevertheless continued to place her against a faltering political climate.
This year, Rooney drew many headlines for fighting back. She agreed to sell the Hebrew-language rights to her third novel, “Beautiful World, Where Are You,” to an Israeli publisher. As such, this decision was a testament to her dedication to the BDS movement and a reminder of Palestinian’s continuing humanitarian emergency. First, she’s always been critical of Israel. She argues that Ireland’s government must do more to stand up for Palestinians and against international law violations.
As recently as last week, Rooney chose to forgo an awards ceremony in London. She took this decision on the advice that her activism with Palestine Action could lead to her arrest. At the Sky Arts Awards, her great friend, and editor, Alex Bowler, read one of the most moving statements known. She conveyed her sadness at missing the opportunity to accept her honor in person.
“I wish I could be here with you this evening to accept the honor in person,” – Sally Rooney
Rooney explained her position on Palestine Action in greater detail. In August, she wrote a commentary for the Irish Times under the headline “I too stand with Palestine Action.” In it, she laid out her plans to protect non-violent anti-war demonstrations. She bluntly insisted that under UK law, she would take the title of ‘supporter of terror’. This acceptance, she stressed, is a result of her dedication to uplifting these movements.
“If the British state considers this ‘terrorism,’ then perhaps it should investigate the shady organizations that continue to promote my work and fund my activities, such as WH Smith and the BBC,” – Sally Rooney
The novelist expressed her solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterated her belief in the dignity of all human life. She now gifts residual fees from adaptations of her backlist titles to fund Palestine Action. These funds are empowering frontline coordinated direct action that is addressing the genocide she speaks on.
Rooney’s statements have opened a productive dialogue on the artistic expression vs. political activism discussion. And she reiterated that an increasing number of artists are being restricted in their travel. The reason for these limitations is their ultraconservative politics.
“An increasing number of artists and writers can no longer safely travel to Britain to speak in public,” – Sally Rooney
This development raises troubling issues for the future of free speech. It shows what can happen when you take a stand on political activism. Rooney’s case exemplifies how creative professionals navigate their careers amidst complex geopolitical issues.
