'Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist': Authors

More than 150 writers and prominent figures have penned an open letter calling upon the UK government to modify its stringent ban on Palestine Action. The letter, signed by renowned authors including Sally Rooney, Annie Ernaux, and Anne Carson, urges the government to reconsider its decision to label the group as a terrorist organization.

Rooney, who is withholding book sales in Britain, has emphasized that she is not a terrorist, but rather, a writer whose work should remain accessible to the public. Her publisher, Faber, has also announced the discontinuation of sales due to Rooney's endorsement of Palestine Action.

The government's proscription of Palestine Action places the group in the same category as militant organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, rendering it illegal for UK citizens to be part of, support, or finance the group. Rooney has consistently expressed her support for the pro-Palestinian group and intends to donate to it, a move that has now been hindered by the UK's anti-terror legislation.

The open letter, also signed by actors Paul Mescal and Tilda Swinton, vehemently rejects censorship and demands that the government amend the legislation, which has led to a repressive situation. Other signatories include Colm Toibin, Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Zadie Smith, and Julian Barnes.

Palestine Action's website states that its objective is to end global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime. The group gained notoriety through high-profile protests against the war in Gaza, targeting weapons factories, particularly those belonging to Israeli arms company Elbit.

The UK's Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal against the ban from the group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, in the coming month.