Sally Rooney confirms 'Intermezzo' to be published in Hebrew, sparking online backlash

Sally Rooney confirms 'Intermezzo' to be published in Hebrew, sparking online backlash Submitted by Hannah. Smith on Wed, 05/20/2026 - 13:23 The acclaimed author, a vocal supporter of Palestine, says the book will be published in line with BDS. But critics say the decision goes against the spirit of boycott Copies of Irish author Sally Rooney's newly published book 'Intermezzo', are pictured in a book shop in London on 24 September 2024 (Ben Stansall/AFP) Off Irish author Sally Rooney, whose stance in support of Palestine has earned international attention, has confirmed that her latest book Intermezzo will be published in Hebrew, causing mixed reactions on social media. A supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement for several years, Rooney first gained attention for her stance to join the cultural boycott of Israeli institutions after turning down an offer from Israeli  publisher Modan to have her third book translated into Hebrew in 2021. In collaboration with Israeli publishing house November Books and Local Call, +972 Magazine announced  on Tuesday that after five years of communicating with the author to ensure a translation could be published "in a way that honors the principles of the boycott and stands in solidarity with the Palestinian demand for freedom, equality, and justice", a Hebrew translation of the novel will soon be available in Israel and Palestine. In an interview with the Guardian published to time with the announcement, Rooney said: “Though my refusal to work with complicit Israeli publishing houses made the contractual side of things more complex, I was, of course, never boycotting the Hebrew language or any language. I’m very pleased ...

Original source: Middle East Eye