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11th July 2025
03:27pm BST
GAA Palestine have shared a heartbreaking video of their young players looking devastated at the Irish government's decision not to grant them visas for a planned tour of Ireland.
GAA Palestine say the visa applications, submitted in mid-May with "comprehensive documentation" had "fulfilled all requested requirements and provided all necessary documentation as per the application process."
But the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said this week a lack of compliance to visa application criteria meant they could not obtain the visas.
Steven Redmond, Chairperson of GAA Palestine, said on Thursday: “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."
Hundreds of people on social media and beyond have been protesting the government's decision, including Mary Lou McDonald.
One campaign group has asked for fans at both of Croke Park's All-Ireland SFC semi-finals this weekend to show support for the cause in the 33rd minute of the game, in line with the 33 children set to miss out on the tour.
Children from Palestine’s first GAA club were set to tour Ireland from July 18 to August 1 in a landmark visit.
Thirty-three children and 14 adult mentors from the Moataz Sarsour GAA Club – the first officially recognised GAA club in Palestine – were due to embark on a historic tour of Ireland.
Wearing official kits designed by O’Neills, the young athletes were due to represent their club and homeland as full members of the GAA community.
The club was originally named Ramallah Hurling Club but was renamed in honour of Moataz Sarsour, one of the founding volunteers who helped establish the team. Moataz was tragically shot dead by Israeli forces on 13 August 2024.
A total of 152 families were due to be hosting the touring party throughout Ireland.
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