New Wave of Boycotts Targets Pro-Palestinian Writers in the West

📚Famed Irish novelist Sally Rooney was barred from attending the Sky Arts Literary Prize ceremony, despite her latest book Intermezzo winning the award. The reason: her outspoken support for the group Action for Palestine, which the UK has designated a “terrorist organization.”

Authorities reportedly warned Rooney she could face arrest if she traveled, leading her to cancel all upcoming public events in Britain. In a statement read on her behalf, Rooney reaffirmed her solidarity with Palestine and Gaza, stressing that her stance stems from her belief in human dignity and opposition to war.

Rooney had earlier pledged to donate proceeds from her bestselling works, including Normal People and Conversations with Friends, along with their BBC adaptations, to support Action for Palestine.

Since the UK ban on the group in July, over 1,600 activists have been arrested, many of them peaceful protesters. Rooney condemned this wave of repression in The Guardian, warning of its chilling impact on artistic and cultural life.

This isn’t the first time Rooney has clashed with pro-Israel circles: in 2021, she blocked the Hebrew translation of her novel Beautiful World, Where Are You? by an Israeli publisher. Her actions carry weight, as her books reach millions worldwide and have been translated into numerous languages.

The case highlights a broader crackdown: Palestinian-American author Jenan Matari also saw her children’s book launch canceled in New Jersey after pressure from Zionist lobbies.

At a time when the UN has concluded that Israel’s assault on Gaza amounts to genocide, Rooney and other writers are standing firm, using their voices to challenge injustice—even as Western governments and pro-Israel groups attempt to silence them.

✨ Rooney’s defiance underscores a growing cultural resistance, where literature becomes more than stories—it becomes a platform for truth, solidarity, and justice.

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