Irish author Sally Rooney was unable to travel to accept a literary award this week due to fears she could be arrested if she entered the UK, given her support for the banned group Palestine Action.
Rooney won the Sky Arts literature award for her fourth novel, Intermezzo. At Tuesday’s ceremony, the audience was told she “couldn’t be here,” and her editor, Faber publisher Alex Bowler, accepted the prize on her behalf.
Bowler read a statement from Rooney in which she explained that, because of her support for “non-violent anti-war protest,” she had been advised she could “no longer safely enter the UK” without the risk of arrest.
In August, Rooney said she plans to donate earnings from her books—including Normal People and Conversations with Friends, as well as their BBC adaptations—to Palestine Action. The group was designated a terrorist organization in the UK in July.
“I’m so touched and grateful to receive this prize,” Rooney’s statement began. “I truly loved writing Intermezzo, and it means the world to me to think it has found a small place in readers’ lives—thank you.”
“I wish I could be there to accept this honor in person,” the statement continued, “but because of my support for non-violent anti-war protest, I’ve been advised that entering the UK could put me at risk of arrest. In light of that, I want to thank you even more warmly for honoring my work tonight, and to reaffirm my belief in the dignity and beauty of all human life, and my solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
Last month, lawyer and writer Sadakat Kadri told The Guardian that “receiving money with the intention of supporting terrorism is an offense under section 15 of the 2000 Terrorism Act,” meaning Rooney could be “arrested without a warrant as a ‘terrorist.’” He added that she could face prosecution if she expressed her views at, for example, a UK book festival, highlighting what he called the “gross disproportionality” of the ban.
Since the proscription took effect in early July, more than 1,600 people have been arrested in connection with Palestine Action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Sally Rooney declining an award due to her support for Palestine written in a clear and natural tone
General Beginner Questions
1 Who is Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney is an Irish author known for her bestselling novels like Normal People and Conversations with Friends which were also adapted into popular television series
2 What award did she turn down
She declined the nomination for the Best Foreign Fiction award from the Israeli publishing house Modan in 2022
3 Why did she turn it down
She declined the award to show solidarity with the Palestinianled Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement She stated she could not accept an award sponsored by the Israeli government without feeling she was endorsing the Israeli states policies towards Palestine
4 Was she actually going to be arrested
No The concern was not about a specific immediate arrest warrant It was a broader political stance She and her supporters were concerned that her public support for the BDS movement could make her a target for legal action or being barred from entering Israel if she were to travel there to accept the award
5 What is the BDS movement
BDS stands for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Its a global Palestinianled movement that uses nonviolent economic and political pressure to protest Israeli policies towards Palestinians and advocate for Palestinian rights
Advanced Contextual Questions
6 Has she done this kind of thing before
Yes In 2021 Sally Rooney declined to have her novel Beautiful World Where Are You translated into Hebrew by an Israeli publisher that works with the Israeli government She made it clear she would be open to working with a publisher that explicitly supported Palestinian rights
7 What was the reaction to her decision
The reaction was mixed and highly polarized Supporters praised her for using her platform to take a moral stand Critics accused her of antisemitism and unfairly singling out Israel arguing that her stance oversimplifies a complex geopolitical conflict
8 Is it legal to support BDS
Laws regarding BDS support vary by country In Israel there are laws that can bar BDS supporters from entering the country In several US states laws have been passed that require contractors to pledge
