Sally Rooney, the acclaimed Irish novelist, has released a Hebrew translation of her latest novel, Intermezzo, through November Books, an independent Israeli publisher that supports Palestinian rights. This move comes more than four years after she turned down a translation offer for her earlier novel, citing her support for the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Rooney's decision to work with November Books, which is aligned with the BDS movement, marks a significant shift. The publisher does not operate in illegal Israeli settlements, receives no Israeli state funding, and explicitly recognizes the legal rights of Palestinians, including the right of return for Palestinian refugees. November Books has also published translations of works by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Naomi Klein, and Irish writer Colum McCann, which other Israeli publishers reportedly refused to translate.
In a conversation with Irish Palestinian artist and activist Samir Eskanda published on Tuesday, Rooney expressed regret over her earlier collaboration with Modan, the Israeli publisher that had translated her first two novels, Conversations with Friends and Normal People. She discovered that Modan had ties to the Israeli military, which conflicted with her beliefs. By the time her third book was published, Rooney felt a greater sense of responsibility and chose to reject Modan's offer for Beautiful World, Where Are You in 2021.
Rooney faced significant backlash for her stance, with some critics, including a senior Israeli official, labeling it as antisemitism. Others questioned her refusal to allow a Hebrew translation while permitting translations in countries with human rights abuses. However, Rooney clarified that she is boycotting the Israeli cultural sector's complicity in apartheid, not the Hebrew language or Israeli readers themselves. She emphasized that translation is a beautiful ideal, but she could not work with complicit publishing houses.
Eskanda noted that the BDS movement targets institutions and complicity, not individuals or identity. The movement, inspired by the South African anti-apartheid struggle, has grown exponentially since Israel's war on Gaza in 2023. Thousands of artists, musicians, and film workers have refused to work with Israeli cultural institutions deemed complicit in violating Palestinian rights. At least 2,000 arts organizations, including major film festivals, theatres, and museums, have signed on, and over 7,000 authors and advocacy groups support the boycott of Israeli publishers.
Rooney has also expressed support for Palestine Action, a group banned in the UK under the Terrorism Act, drawing criticism. She stated it is almost certain she cannot publish new work in the UK while the ban remains. The UK High Court recently ruled the ban unlawful, a decision under appeal. Despite warnings that her activism could end her career, Rooney remains undeterred, asserting that criticism is a small price to pay for standing up against injustice.
