Rooney declines Israeli publisher
Sally Rooney confirmed Tuesday that she has declined to sell Hebrew translation rights for “Beautiful World, Where Are You” to an Israeli publisher.
The Irish writer said in a statement she made her decision because of her support for the Palestinian people and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement in opposition to the Israeli government.
“I understand that not everyone will agree with my decision,” Rooney said, “but I simply do not feel it would be right for me under the present circumstances to accept a new contract with an Israeli company that does not publicly distance itself from apartheid and support the U.N. stipulated rights of the Palestinian people.”
On social media, some writers expressed support while others questioned why Rooney wasn’t declining translations in Russia or China, whose governments are also accused of human rights abuses.