‘Gaels Against Genocide’ call GAA’s EIC report into Allianz links ‘inaccurate and misleading’
GAELS against Genocide in Gaza has claimed that report by the GAA’s Ethics and Integrity Commission [EIC] into the Association retaining its Allianz partnership is ‘inaccurate and misleading’.A hard-hitting statement which was be read out at a protest outside Croke Park today and then handed in to GAA HQ.The document adds that the GAA’s EIC – whose findings were adopted by the Association’s Management Committee on December 19 – “has chosen to cower behind States that have failed to meet their legal obligations.”Pro-Palestine protesters outside GAA headquarters at Croke Park, Dublin, to oppose the organisation's decision to continue its sponsorship arrangement with Allianz. The insurance company's parent organisation was named in a UN report of global corporations deemed to be involved in Israel's military operation in Gaza.
(Grainne Ni Aodha/PA Wire) Gaels against Genocide also expressed concern about what it terms a ‘democratic deficit’ within the GAA, with no anti-Allianz motions expected to be allowed before its largest decision-making body, Annual Congress, at the end of February.“Grassroots motions from clubs have been blocked or ruled out of order. Insurance cover and branding impacts clubs who own the grounds.“The clubs are key stakeholders and should not be excluded from the decision-making process.“It is incumbent on all of us to protect the ethos and values of ‘Our GAA’.”Allianz Ireland was to launch its 34th year of sponsorship of the National Football and Hurling Leagues at Croke Park today – however, that event has been moved online only, perhaps in response to the planned protest.No current players are taking part in the launch, which instead involves former Meath footballer Graham Geraghty and ex-Tipperary hurler Padraic Maher.Former Meath GAA star Graham Geraghty.
Picture: Mark Marlow Gaels against Genocide declared: “The EIC report stated in several instances that ‘Over 1,000 entities’, and ‘hundreds of companies’ were named in the UN Report on the economy of genocide - which is inaccurate and misleading.“The UN Report published in July 2025 identified a total of 45 companies and Allianz was categorised as an ‘enabler’ of the illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide.“Allianz is the largest private investor in Israeli war bonds (almost $1 Billion). It holds at least $7.3 Billion in companies implicated in the economy of genocide. Allianz has neither disputed this information nor adjusted its position.”Francesca Albanese Gaels against Genocide also take issue with the EIC’s response to that report from Francesca Albanese: “While the EIC accept the authority of the analysis by the UN Special Rapporteur, it rejects the report’s recommendations.“Instead, the EIC has chosen to cower behind States that have failed to meet their legal obligations.”The campaign group contends that the GAA’s EIC has implicitly accepted that the parent company Allianz is not complying with international law: “The EIC recommended that Allianz Ireland exert influence on other units and the parent company to comply with international law. “The EIC therefore accepts that there is non-compliance with the law on the part of Allianz and recognise the interconnectivity of units within and with the parent group. “Allianz Ireland paid €1 million in dividends to the parent group in 2024. Allianz Ireland benefits from the group brand and exists within a corporate structure that has chosen to fund and sustain grave human rights abuses.”Gaels against Genocide rejected the idea that giving money to Gazan/ Palestinian charities is an acceptable alternative to cutting off the GAA’s links with Allianz:“Charitable fundraising has been mooted as a solution. Charity does not absolve complicity.“Allianz must be held to account and the only appropriate solution is to promptly end the relationship.”Members of the Roger Casement Commemoration and Re-interment Association at a wreath-laying ceremony at west Belfast's Casement Park. The statement begins by noting the example of GAA icon Roger Casement: “Profiteering from mass human misery by corporations can be traced back to the early colonial period.“With the announcement that work is to commence on Casement Park, we are reminded of Roger Casement’s contribution to human rights.“Casement was pivotal in exposing [Belgian] King Leopold’s genocidal exploitation of the peoples of the Congo.“As a result of work by Casement and others, international pressure brought an end to the atrocities.”Gaels against Genocide cited other examples of when conscientious action has proven vital to society “from the Irish Land League to the Dunnes Stores strike.“In the aftermath of World War II, international law was developed to prevent genocide and protect human rights.“Today, both States and corporations are fully aware of their obligations and responsibilities under international law.“Corporations are required to act independently of States and to avoid causing or contributing to serious human rights abuses, even where governments fail to act. “The GAA adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals - ‘health and well-being’, ‘quality education’ and ‘life on land’.“By these standards alone, the GAA should refuse to do business with Allianz.”Pointing to the EIC referencing the GAA’s ban on alcohol and gambling sponsorship on ethical grounds - both lawful activities – Gaels against Genocide highlight that the GAA “has failed to apply any ethical test to a corporation that is embedded in the economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide. The immense human cost has been disregarded.An aerial view showing massive destruction and displacement in area of Gaza City. CREDIT: Heidi Levine/For The Washington Post (Heidi Levine/FTWP) “The EIC’s focus was not ethics but contractual risk. The EIC did not consider however, force majeure, the grounds for which are self-evident. “The EIC also failed to consider how the GAA could continue to operate with integrity if it retained its partnership with Allianz – a company that has not learnt from its shameful past.”Turning its attention to government on the island of Ireland, the statement says: “The EIC has sought cover in the inaction of governments, North and South. This is no cover at all – it is the refuge of scoundrels.“Ireland is Israel’s second largest trading partner. The violent expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank in recent months has not persuaded the Irish government to implement the Occupied Territories Bill.“Despite an appeal in July 2024 from UN experts for States and investors to take decisive action to cease the transfer of arms to Israel, the Department of Transport granted an exemption to a civilian aircraft in October 2025 carrying munitions from the US to stop in Shannon Airport en route to Nevatim IDF airbase.“Allianz almost doubled investments in defence companies arming Israel in 2024. It is a major investor in German arms company, Thyssenkrupp that delivered the ‘INS Drakon’ submarine valued at €500 million to Israel in August 2025.”Gaels against Genocide insist that it is incumbent upon the GAA to align with international law:“Reference was made in the EIC Report to the ICJ, the ICC, International Treaties, customary international norms, and the UN Guiding Principles.“As a humanitarian organisation, the issue should have been made within this framework.“To take such an approach is not to assume the position of ‘moral guardian’ - rather it is to align with international law and the ethos and values of our association.”
