Pro-Palestine protesters gather at GAA headquarters to oppose Allianz sponsorship
Pro-Palestine protesters gathered in heavy rain outside GAA headquarters on Thursday 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.UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese published the report last summer.In December, the GAA decided to retain Allianz as a sponsor, stating that it could expose the organisation to legal issues and reputational damage if it were to terminate the contract.READ MOREIrishwoman Rachel Duffy has proven the truth at the heart of Traitors UKConor Murray: Irish fans demanding change in the Six Nations squad should take a breathThe bar, the bogus cocaine deal and Spain’s battle with its ‘deep state’ Harry Styles proves the art of a great album title is not deadIt said that Allianz had “no involvement” with the Israel Defense Forces or other entities “involved in the war in Gaza”, and that any such relationship “is with a sibling or cousin company”.On Thursday, Dubs For Palestine, Irish Sport For Palestine and Gaels Against Genocide held a protest outside the GAA headquarters at Croke Park.Around two dozen people gathered in the rain and heard protests would be held at GAA grounds and until “Allianz is out of the GAA”. Brian Flynn, vice-chairman of Ferbane GAA in Co Offaly, addressed the crowd and urged county boards not to fear any “implicit” threat of funding being cut for speaking out.Offaly was the first county board to call for the end of the relationship with Allianz.Protesters outside Croke Park on Thursday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill The protest was organised by Dubs For Palestine, Irish Sport For Palestine, and Gaels Against Genocide. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill “We need as an organisation to keep the focus on that, I would say to all the clubs and all the organisations that have yet to get into this campaign, keep pushing it,” he told the crowd.“We need to keep working to make sure we get Allianz out of our organisation.”He told the crowd that sports companies make other ethical decisions not to proceed with sponsorship deals, citing smoking and alcohol advertisements, and so a similar decision must be made.He said it was not accurate to say that it was not possible to cut ties with all companies that have financial links with Israel, and that Ms Albanese’s report names Allianz’s parent company among 45 targeted companies. – PA
