Gaels Against Genocide in Gaza planning a peaceful protest in Ballyshannon

The Gaels Against Genocide in Gaza are to hold a peaceful protest in Ballyshannon on Sunday, in protest of the GAA’s ongoing sponsorship with Allianz.

The protest, which will be led by former Donegal footballer Brendan Devenney, is to take place from 12:15pm opposite the turnstiles at Fr Tierney Park, where Donegal are due to meet Kerry in Division One of the National Football League.

Similar protests are taking place at Celtic Park before Derry’s home fixture against Tyrone and also in Castlebar, where Mayo take on Dublin at MacHale Park.

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Protesters say: “Allianz sponsorship of GAA games must end. Allianz is a business complicit and profiting from genocide in Gaza. This is completely incompatible with the ethos and values of the GAA - a grassroots organisation rooted in community, equality, respect and justice.

“We will be holding a peaceful protest and handing out information leaflets to supporters as they head into the stadium. This is an important opportunity to reach the grassroots GAA community and highlight why Allianz must be dropped as a sponsor. We invite members of the media to come out and meet with us and hear us out.”

Allianz has been the title sponsor of the GAA’s national leagues since 1993, with the current agreement set to run until 2030.

The insurance company, through its German parent, was among a number of firms named in a report published last June by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, which said they were involved in sustaining and financing Israel’s actions in the region.

The report prompted petitions from serving and former GAA players, as well as motions from several county boards, calling on the association to sever its ties with Allianz.

However, these demands were turned down by GAA headquarters late last month.

An internal review found that the organisation is legally bound to honour its sponsorship contract. The GAA later said in a statement that Allianz plc has no involvement with the Israeli Defence Forces or with companies engaged in the war in Gaza, adding that any such links relate to separate companies within the wider Allianz group.