Acclaimed author Sally Rooney reportedly abstained from traveling to the United Kingdom to accept a recent literary award, citing concerns about potential arrest due to her support for the British organization Palestine Action.
The Irish novelist has been financially supporting the group, which the UK government officially proscribed as a terrorist entity in July, following an incident earlier this year in which activists allegedly breached an RAF base and damaged military aircraft.
Palestine Action has been actively targeting arms manufacturers since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in 2023.
Rooney, 34, recipient of the Sky Arts award for her novel “Intermezzo,” conveyed in a statement read on her behalf at the ceremony: “I’m advised that I can no longer safely enter the UK without potentially facing arrest.”
The statement, delivered by Rooney’s publisher Alex Bowler, expressed her regret at not being present to personally accept the honor, while also underscoring her “support for non-violent anti-war protest.”
The message further stated, “In that context, I want to thank you all the more warmly for honouring my work tonight, and to reiterate my belief in the dignity and beauty of all human life, and my solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
As reported in August, Rooney indicated that she was allocating proceeds from her published works and the BBC television adaptations of “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends” to support Palestine Action.
Currently, Rooney is not engaged in any ongoing projects with the BBC, nor has she ever been a BBC employee.
Last week, the Metropolitan Police reported that 890 individuals were arrested during a demonstration in London on Saturday, protesting the ban on Palestine Action.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated last week: “Supporting Palestine and supporting a proscribed terrorist group are not the same thing.”
She also affirmed her “backed officers” who had apprehended those supporting the group.
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