‘Drop Allianz’ Campaign Returns to Croke Park

The 'Hunger For Justice: Palestine / Troscadh ar son na Córa' organisation which is supporting the GAA ‘Drop Allianz’ campaign is planning a protest at Croke Park.

The protest will take place at 11.30am on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

A number of prominent humanitarian organisations will attend the event to renew the call for the GAA to end its relationship with title sponsor and "genocide enabler", Allianz. 

As part of the ‘Hunger for Justice’ initiative, hundreds of volunteers from across Ireland have registered for a 24-hour fast in support of the ‘Drop Allianz’ campaign which is taking place from from Friday, October 10 to Saturday, October 11.

Gaels are also invited to join the protest at the entrance to the Hogan Stand, wear their GAA jerseys and attend the march.

There will be guest speakers from leading organisations, and a letter signed by hundreds of Gaels will be handed in to Croke Park. 

The ‘Drop Allianz’ campaign has gained significant momentum over the last few months and has harnessed the support of Gaels Against Genocide, Dubs For Palestine, Irish Sport For Palestine, Gaeil ar son Gaza, RISE for Palestine and the Bloody Sunday Trust.

The targeted campaign commenced back in March 2025 after the publication of the report, ‘Ensuring Genocide’ by Boycott Bloody insurance. In light of information contained in the report about Allianz, a group of Gaels, including Dublin GAA great, Dr David Hickey, staged a protest outside Croke Park on March 29 at the National League finals and handed out leaflets to raise awareness.

On June 17, a letter detailing the factual and legal position and imploring the GAA to cease the relationship with Allianz was sent to Croke Park on behalf of four organisations (Gaels against Genocide, Irish Sport for Palestine, Dubs for Palestine and Na Gaeil ar son Gaza). A further letter was sent to Croke Park on the 1st July, referencing specific sections of the UN report, ‘From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide’ which was published in June. The GAA did not respond to the letters.

Tony Doherty of the Bloody Sunday Trust confirmed that following the publication of Francesca Albanese’s report, the Trust also wrote directly to Jarlath Burns to urge the GAA to cut ties with Allianz. The Trust underscored the importance of the GAA in Irish society and opined that such a decision by the GAA would be of “major significance and set a precedent for other organisations and institutions to follow”. The Trust received neither an acknowledgment nor a response.

The campaign groups refused to accept the silence from Ireland’s largest sporting body and decided to canvass County players for their support.

A letter signed by 800 former and current County players was handed into Croke Park on the 20th August. Signatories included football commentator Colm O'Rourke, Antrim hurler Neil McManus, All Ireland Winner Joe Brolly, Derry star Shane McGuigan, Dublin footballer Michael Darragh McAuley, All Ireland Winner, Aoife Ní Chasáide, and three times Ulster Camogie player of the year, Jane Adams. 

The letter from the players attracted significant media coverage and the GAA subsequently announced that it was referring the matter to the Association’s Ethics and Integrity Committee.

It had been anticipated that the issue would come up at Special Congress last Saturday however it was not on the agenda.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, a ‘Drop Allianz’ protest was held outside Croke Park on the morning of the Special Congress and a statement was later issued by Jarlath Burns.

In his statement, the President of the GAA stated that the Committee was doing its own research and stated that, “we don’t just take everything at face value”. He went on to say that the committee will not make the decision but that they will “come back to us and we will have a slightly detached perspective, an independent perspective”.

Responding to the statement Michael Doherty of Gaels against Genocide said that the organisations involved in the campaign were astounded by the statement which he said, “appears to call into question the accuracy, integrity and independence of a UN Report that was published on the official website of the High Commissioner of Human Rights. The GAA has been aware of the issue since March and the information in respect of Allianz is documented in the UN Report published in June. This issue cannot be ignored or delayed any longer”.

The UN Report categorises Allianz as an ‘enabler’ on the basis that it purchased almost €1 billion in Israeli war bonds since October 2023 via its asset management company PIMCO and holds at least €7.3 billion in bonds and shares implicated in the genocide. Allianz continues to invest in and insure Elbit Systems. Elbit systems is one of two main suppliers of weapons and surveillance systems to the Israeli military and has been awarded lucrative contracts since October 2023.

Elbit received the Israeli Defence Prize in 2024. Of the five companies investigated by Boycott Bloody Insurance, Allianz was the only global insurance company that was still investing in Elbit Systems.

Dr David Hickey, a leading advocate with Dubs For Palestine said: "The GAA embodies the spirit, values and historical experience of the Irish people. It is unacceptable, legally and morally, for the GAA to maintain a relationship with Allianz, a company that is contributing to gross human rights violations. Civil society must take action to end the genocide and dismantle the global system that has sustained it.”

This event will be one of several across the country on Friday/Saturday, 10-11 October encompassing the 24 hour fast and protests. ‘Fight The Financiers of Genocide’ events will take place in Dublin, Derry, Killorglin, Nenagh and New Ross. Barclays Bank will be the focal point of a protest in Belfast.

Last year on December 12, Hunger For Justice: Palestine organised a 24-hour mass fast in which over 1,600 volunteers from every county in Ireland were represented. Many people from other countries around the world participated, raising over €200,000 for humanitarian aid. 

Anyone wishing to take part in this October's fast can do so by completing the short online form at: https://forms.gle/4dRFtCicFjwiPSjG9

A Facebook page has been set up specifically for the event:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568421206188&locale=en_GB