Laois Palestinian solidarity group stage protest outside AXA branch in Portlaoise

Members of the Laois Branch of the Ireland Palestinian Solidarity Campaign group staged a protest outside the offices of AXA Insurance, Lyster Square, Portlaoise on Monday, June 24. 
 
Chairperson of the group, Ms. Emily Barrett, handed a letter to the Branch Manager, which requested AXA cease, what the group claim are "investments in all banks and companies that subsidise or otherwise enable Israel's illegal settlements in occupied Palestine."

Members of the group held Palestinian flags and placards calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza and a boycott on Israeli goods and services. They distributed leaflets to members of the public which explained the reasons behind the call to boycott the company. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

A group spokesperson said "It is for AXA to listen to their customers, the people of Ireland, and the people of Palestine who are being annihilated in a live-streamed genocide. As a company, who in their own words have ‘a tradition of human solidarity,” divesting from complicity – whether through investments of a proprietary or non-proprietary nature, should be a basic and immediate goal.
 
They claimed: "Until AXA takes the measures necessary to end its complicity, we will continue to campaign for a consumer boycott of AXA and related businesses and to ensure AXA’s connection to the occupation of Palestine, and the Apartheid state of Israel and the genocide it is conducting in Gaza is widely understood."

A spokesperson for AXA responded: "I can confirm that AXA has no investment in any of the banks cited in recent calls for boycott. 

"AXA’s investments comply with applicable laws and regulations and respect internationally recognized human rights principles.

"This is the case globally, including AXA’s investment in the Middle East Region.

"The AXA Group is committed to conducting business to the highest ethical standards.

"The AXA Group Human Rights Policy can be found on our Group website."