Derry GAA club encourages members to boycott Puma

Derry GAA club Steelstown Brian Ógs has encouraged its members and wider community to keep the Boycott Divest Sanction movement in mind when buying gifts over the holidays.

According to its official website The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement works to end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law.

A Steelstown representative put out the following statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We at Steelstown support the BDS global campaign. We encourage our members and the wider community to choose to NOT buy Puma products this Christmas. By doing so we are contributing to the support given to Palestinians. Encourage others to do the same #GivePumaTheBoot #derryipsc."

The club shared a statement from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which outlines the reason Palestinians call for a boycott of the company.

"More than 200 Palestinian football teams have called on PUMA to end sponsorship of the Israel Football Association (IFA) due to its support for Israeli war crimes," the statement says.

"The IFA includes football teams based in Israel's illegal settlements, and hosts matches on land stolen from Palestinians.

"Every Israeli settlement in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, is illegal and a war crime under international law.

"Israel's illegal settlements contribute to serious human rights abuses, and are a direct cause of restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement, access to natural resources, and ability to build homes and conduct business.

"Puma's sponsorship of the Israel Football Association legitimises and gives international cover to Israel's ongoing war crimes."

We at Steelstown support the BDS global campaign. We encourage our members and the wider community to choose to NOT buy Puma products this Christmas. By doing so we are contributing to the support given to Palestinians. Encourage others to do the same #GivePumaTheBoot #derryipsc pic.twitter.com/d3nai0xOA8

— Steelstown Brian Ógs (@BrianOgs) November 29, 2023

A Puma spokesperson issued this statement:

"We are very concerned about false information being spread about PUMA.

"We would like to reiterate the correct facts that are:

• PUMA does not sponsor football clubs in West Bank settlements. This is entirely incorrect.
• PUMA’s Israeli distribution partner supplies the Israeli National Teams with PUMA branded football equipment to compete in international competitions.
• We do not have any other official connection or association with any other Israeli Football club team – neither in mainland Israel or in settlements.
• The six football clubs (Ma’ale Adumim, Ariel, Bikat HaYarden, Kiryat Arba, Givaat Zeev and Oranit) which play in different leagues of the IPFL (Israeli Professional Football Leagues) and are based in the West Bank are not equipped with PUMA products, but by other sports brands from other companies.
• PUMA’s local distribution partner does not have any operations or branches in settlements.

"PUMA continues to support and outfit athletes from all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation and national origin. As a brand concerned only with the power that Sport has to bring people together, PUMA does not support any political direction, political parties or governments. We welcome the opportunity to help everyone compete in sports no matter who they are or where they are from."