Sir, – We wish to correct a number of inaccuracies and mischaracterisations contained in recent correspondence concerning Allianz Ireland’s long-standing partnership with the GAA.
Allianz unequivocally rejects the allegation that it is complicit in genocide. We reject, in their entirety, the exceptionally serious allegations contained in the July 2025 report of the UN special rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese as they relate to Allianz. They are not supported by the facts, fundamentally mischaracterise Allianz’s role and activities, and we reject the report’s methodology and conclusions.
Allianz does not accept the proposition that individual financial institutions should unilaterally determine which sovereign states may participate in global financial markets. That authority rests with democratically accountable governments, international institutions and the courts.
Where sanctions or legal restrictions are imposed, financial institutions are required to comply. Where they are not, they are required to operate lawfully and in accordance with their fiduciary and regulatory obligations.
RM Block
The correspondence in The Irish Times (Letters, August 5th) contains a factual error by conflating Allianz Group and Allianz plc (Ireland). We have expressly acknowledged that Allianz Group was referenced in Albanese’s report. Separately, iwe explained that Allianz plc (Ireland) had no investments or underwriting activities in the Middle East. Those are distinct factual statements and are entirely consistent.
The correspondence also states that Allianz Group is “the biggest non-Israeli institutional holder of Israeli sovereign debt”. We would welcome the evidence on which that assertion is based. If it is derived from the same data set cited in a recent Middle East news outlet, its authors expressly acknowledge that it is neither comprehensive nor capable of capturing the full sovereign debt market.
Allianz will continue to comply fully with every applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirement and to discharge its fiduciary obligations. We will also continue to reject allegations of complicity that are not supported by evidence demonstrating responsibility but rather are inferred solely from lawful participation in global financial markets.
That was the principle set out by us and it remains Allianz’s position. – Yours, etc,
Geoff Sparling,
Chief customer officer,
Allianz Ireland.
