What Sally Rooney’s Hebrew translation controversy says about BDS

Sally Rooney in Hebrew

In 2021, famed Irish author Sally Rooney declined to publish her book in Israel because there was no BDS-compliant publisher. At the time, she said she would be “pleased and proud” to have her books translated into Hebrew, as long as it was done in a way that respected the principles of the boycott. Last week, Rooney announced that she was publishing a Hebrew translation of her latest book, Intermezzo, with November Books and +972 Magazine. The …

What Sally Rooney’s Hebrew translation controversy says about BDS

Celebrated Irish fiction author Sally Rooney seems to be having a taste of her own medicine. Five years ago, Rooney famously announced that she would not sell Hebrew translation rights for her books to Israeli publishing houses, citing her opposition to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. The Jewish community widely condemned the move, with critics arguing that private Israeli publishers have no control over the decisions or policies of the Is…