GAA Palestine Responds to Visa Refusal of Palestinian Youths for Ireland Tour
GAA Palestine is deeply disappointed and shocked by the recent decision of the Irish Immigration Service to refuse visas to 47 Palestinian youths and coaches from the West Bank who were scheduled to participate in a cultural and sporting tour of Ireland this month.
The visa applications, submitted in mid-May with comprehensive documentation, included detailed plans for visits to various GAA clubs across Ireland, educational exchanges, and cultural activities. The applicants, comprising 33 children aged between 9 and 16 years, had fulfilled all requested requirements and provided all necessary documentation as per the application process.
Contrary to the information communicated in recent correspondence, Irish immigration officials have claimed that the visa applications were refused due to “insufficient documentation.” We understand from letters sent by the Irish Embassy in Israel that the reason cited was a lack of detailed itineraries and financial arrangements — information that had been provided with the application. In fact, GAA Palestine was under the impression that all necessary documentation and information had been provided and met the requirements for visa approval as stated by the Irish Embassy in Israel.
Steven Redmond, Chairperson of GAA Palestine, expressed his profound dismay:
“Seven days before these young boys and girls were meant to leave the West Bank, we are told that additional documentation is now required — documentation that was already provided or never previously requested or indicated as necessary. We went as far as sending a volunteer to the West Bank to assist with additional documentation that was requested as part of our application.
Nonetheless, GAA Palestine remains committed to collaborating closely with the Department of Justice to resolve this matter swiftly. We have a dedicated team of volunteers ready to respond and take immediate action.
We are fully prepared to see this process through. We kindly ask the Government to partner with us in making this happen.
Volunteers across Ireland are just utterly and completely devasted after all the work and effort put into making this tour happen. It’s heartbreaking to see such a promising cultural exchange fall apart at the very last moment.”
The tour was scheduled to begin on 18 July, with over 100 Irish families volunteering to host the Palestinian group, and numerous GAA clubs fundraising to support the visit. The event was set to promote cultural exchange, friendship, and mutual understanding, and its cancellation is a significant setback for all involved.
GAA Palestine calls on the Irish authorities to reconsider this decision and to work with us to facilitate the participation of these young Palestinians in future cultural and sporting initiatives. We believe that such exchanges are essential in building bridges of friendship and understanding between our peoples.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Irish host families, clubs, and supporters who have shown unwavering support and solidarity. We remain hopeful that this unfortunate setback will not deter us.
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Gill Waters, GAA Palestine Press Officer
Email: pressoffice@gaapalestine.com
Mob: +353 862 482 364
