Sally Rooney turns down Israeli translation of novel

The Irish writer Sally Rooney has decided against an offer from the publisher that translated her two previous novels into Hebrew, due to her stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Normal People was translated into 46 languages, and it was expected that Beautiful World, Where Are You would reach a similar number. However, Hebrew translation rights have not yet been sold, despite a bid from Modan, an Israeli publisher.

Rooney said she was “very proud” her previous novels had been translated into Hebrew, but had “chosen not to sell these translation rights” to an Israel-based publishing house.