Max Hjelm: Crazy to label Sally Rooney a terrorist

Imagine that Camilla Läckberg decided to let proceeds from her book sales go to Restore Wetlands. Also imagine that the Swedish state had labeled the organization a terrorist, because their civil disobedience sometimes meant vandalism. Further posit that Läckberg's books would therefore stop being sold in Sweden, that anyone who wants to read "The Ice Princess", the celebrated introduction to the Fjällbackaserien, would have to look on the black market. That the detective queen was also forced to nest abroad due to the threat of a prison sentence.

Does that sound like the plot of a bad dystopian thriller? A similar situation is playing out in this now on the other side of the North Sea.

On Wednesday came the news: Sally Rooney, the star Irish author behind cozy novels such as "Normal People" and "Intermezzo", will not continue to be sold in the UK. The law stands in the way.

These are strange times for free speech in Britain. Freedom of demonstration has been curtailed and a distasteful meme posted online can be enough for the police to arrest you.

And so: In July of last year, Palestine Action was classified as a terrorist. It is an organization that supports Palestine and works against arms exports to the Israeli military. Partly through demonstrations, partly through direct actions against property. Destruction, downright. Members have, among other things, broken into a British airbase and spray-painted fighter jets. Unfair methods, for sure.

Of course, what is evil must be punished - that is, the criminal acts.

Of course, what is evil must be punished - that is, the criminal acts. But equating the organization in law with murderous Islamists and Nazis has led to crazy consequences.

Already on the same day that the terror classification came into effect, people demonstrating in support of Palestine Action were arrested. One of them was Sue Parfitt, an 83-year-old priest. What she did? Something as sick as holding a placard. "Total nonsense," she said as the police forcefully led her away.

Ms Parfitt is not alone: ​​Several thousand people have been arrested since the terrorist designation, the largest group for quietly holding placards reading "I'm against genocide, I support Palestine Action".

And how does Sally Rooney fit into this baloney?

Well, the Irish author decided last year to let money from his book sales support Palestine Action. Something that the British state sees as sponsoring terrorism. When Rooney won an award in 2025, she was advised not to go and accept it in the UK - as she could be arrested and face up to 14 years in prison. And now the author has agreed with the publisher that they cannot possibly sell her books under British law.

Say what you will about Palestine Action: The whole story is a disgrace to freedom of expression and artistic freedom on the island nation. It's hardly what you think it's true.

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