Sally Rooney faces potential arrest under UK anti-terrorism law

Irish novelist Sally Rooney could be arrested under the Terrorism Act after stating she would use the income from her works to support Palestine Action, which was banned as a “terrorist organization” in the United Kingdom last month.

Following Rooney’s pledge, the Prime Minister’s Office also announced that supporting this group is an offense under the law.

Rooney wrote in the Irish Times over the weekend that the royalties from her books, Normal People and Conversations with Friends, as well as income from the BBC series adapted from them, would be used to support Palestine Action.

A legal expert speaking to The Guardian stated that the bestselling author could be prosecuted if she expressed her views at a book fair in the UK, for example, emphasizing the “gross disproportionality” of the ban.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, while not responding specifically to the author’s comments, said, “There is a difference between showing support for a proscribed organization, which is an offense under the Terrorism Act, and legitimate protest in support of a cause.”

When asked what message the UK Prime Minister’s Office would give to those considering donating to Palestine Action, the spokesperson replied, “Supporting a proscribed organization is a criminal offense under the Terrorism Act, and the police, as they have previously stated, will enforce the law as expected.”

Under the Terrorism Act, more than 700 people associated with the group, which was banned in early July, have been arrested. Most of them were assaulted by police during a peaceful protest in Parliament Square, London, on August 9.

In a statement on Saturday, Rooney said, “My books are still published in Britain, for now at least, and they are available in bookshops and even supermarkets. In recent years, the UK state broadcaster has produced two beautiful adaptations of my novels, for which they pay me regular royalty fees. I want to state publicly my intention to use this income, and my public platform generally, to support the organization Palestine Action, and the cause of direct action against genocide, in any way I can.”

Palestine Action was banned as a “terrorist organization” after activists entered a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Oxfordshire and spray-painted two aircraft.

In an article for The Guardian in June, Rooney wrote, “They knew their actions were illegal, of course. From the suffragettes to the gay rights movement and the anti-apartheid struggle, real political resistance has always involved the deliberate breaking of laws.”

The author had also refused to have her books translated into Hebrew to protest Israel’s policies toward Palestinians.

Lawyer and author Sadakat Kadri said, “Receiving money for the purposes of terrorism is an offense under section 15 of the 2000 Act. This means Rooney could be arrested as a ‘terrorist’.”

“The absurdities don’t end there,” Kadri added, noting that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to place Palestine Action in the same category as groups like ISIS means that the BBC could also face criminal liability if it continues to pay royalties, given Rooney’s stated intentions.

Meanwhile, a report in The Times stated that the BBC has been instructed to “urgently review” its relationship with Rooney.

The BBC stated that it is not currently working on any projects with Rooney, adding, “Matters relating to proscribed organizations are for the relevant authorities.”

The corporation also added that Rooney is not a BBC staff member and that her words and actions concerning money she has previously received are her own affair.

Some BBC staff expressed that they were not surprised but were disappointed by Rooney’s comments. Some mentioned that Rooney has “experience” in creating controversy.

It is reported that Rooney has been reported to counter-terrorism police, but no action is expected as Palestine Action is not banned as a “terrorist organization” in Ireland, where her comments were made.

A police source said, “Generally, offenses are committed based on where the person is at the time. If you are in the UK and sending money to a proscribed terrorist organization, then yes, that is probably a crime. When it comes to support for proscribed organizations, obviously not all groups are banned in all jurisdictions, so it would not be considered a crime if you are living in a foreign country.”

Conversely, the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, defended Rooney’s comments.

Abdalmajid stated, “Sally Rooney is using her voice to draw attention to the violations of international law and human rights in Palestine. I hope these calls will lead to practical steps to stop the terrible events Israel is carrying out in Palestine, to end the genocide and forced displacement, and to end the Israeli occupation.”