In a statement today, the GAA and GPA echo “deep concerns” of members in relation to war in Gaza and support calls for a ceasefire in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
The joint statement released this morning around 11am reads as follows;
“The GAA and the GPA share the deep concerns expressed by many of our members about the ongoing humanitarian crisis and escalating violence in Gaza.
“We support the Irish Government and International Community's calls for an immediate and sustained ceasefire which will allow aid to reach Gaza and for all hostages to be released.
“We will be donating to the Irish Red Cross to support relief work in Gaza.”
They become one of the first major sporting organisations in the country to do so, although individual teams have expressed their thoughts with regards to this issue in the past.
For example, the Dublin Senior Ladies Gaelic Football team took a stand back in January of this year prior to their opening league game against Kerry.
There they called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, holding up a sign that said “Sos cogaidh sa Phalaistín”, which translates to “Truce in Palestine.”
"We, members of the Dublin Senior Ladies Football Team and Management feel strongly about taking a stand on the issue of an Immediate Ceasefire in Palestine,” their statement at the time began.
"As we have watch events unfold in the region on our screens every day for the past 106 days, we have been greatly disturbed and saddened. Almost 25,000 lives have been lost, 70% of whom are women, children and young adolescents, while more than 20,000 babies have been born into a living hell.
"A staggering 85% of the population have now been displaced while all the hospitals have been destroyed in Gaza.
"We are privileged to represent this great city of Dublin, however with that great privilege comes a great responsibility to do the right thing. We want our voices to be heard. So, we are taking this opportunity to plead with the key influencers and decision makers.
"Please do all in your power to help bring a ceasefire and end to hostilities in the Gaza region.”
Speaking on that move shortly afterwards, player Jennifer Dunne explained that it was done to “show support for those people”, especially in a world where “there’s lots of issues that people aren’t overly aware of.”
“I think for us as a group we just want to show our support and raise a bit of awareness about it,” she said.
“We just wanted to show our solidarity for those people.
“It was only a small gesture but I guess small things and actions speak louder than words sometimes.”
