‘We are witnessing an unfolding genocide’: Sally Rooney on war in Gaza

Sally Rooney: 'The violent death of any civilian, in Israel and Lebanon and Palestine or anywhere, is a terrible tragedy and an outrage.' Picture: Kalpesh Lathigra

Bestselling author Sally Rooney has spoken about the "unfolding genocide" in the war on Gaza at a literary event in London.

The novelist was at the Southbank Centre in London on Wednesday night to celebrate the launch of her fourth novel, Intermezzo.

During a speech at the beginning of the event, Rooney highlighted the loss of 40,000 Palestinians lives since October 7.

Rooney said: “Heritage sites, museums, libraries, schools, and mosques, as well as arts venues and cultural centres, much like this one, have been irretrievably destroyed. And that is not even to speak of over 40,000 people confirmed dead, each one, a precious and irreplaceable life.

“Each one loved and mourned. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that we are witnessing an unfolding genocide. The violent death of any civilian, in Israel and Lebanon and Palestine or anywhere, is a terrible tragedy and an outrage. 

"And the roots of this particular tragedy are in the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine and the apartheid system under which Palestinians are forced to live as we are lucky enough to be here tonight in London and these beautiful surroundings for what I hope will be an evening of celebration and community. I want to make clear that we are also here in solidarity with the people of Palestine.” 

To end her speech, the novelist urged the public to not “give in”.

I want to urge you all, just as I also urge myself, not to turn away, not to give in to despair or fatigue, to keep protesting, to keep speaking out, to keep demanding an end to this horrifying war. It is the least that we can do.

It is not the first time Rooney has used her platform to advocate for Palestinian rights. While promoting her new novel, she talked extensively about the war on Gaza during interviews. 

Earlier this year, she wrote an op-ed for the Irish Times headlined ‘Killing in Gaza has been supported by Ireland’s ‘good friend’ in the White House’.

Back in 2021, Rooney took another public stand when she decided not to grant an Israeli publisher the translating rights to her third novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You?

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7 when Hamas launched its attack, killing more than 1,200 Israelis.