Holocaust survivors hail Allianz golf tourney sponsor end

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Holocaust survivors say termination of German insurance giant Allianz’s sponsorship of a Florida golf tournament may boost their efforts to collect some $2.5 billion in World War II-era Jewish policies.

Survivors and supporters planned an event Monday in Boca Raton to praise the decision to end the Allianz sponsorship of the annual PGA senior tournament. Allianz had been its sponsor for seven years, sparking protests by Jewish groups each time.

Allianz has acknowledged collaborating with the Nazi regime in the 1930s and 1940s. Holocaust survivors claim the company sold tens of thousands of policies to Nazi victims and has refused to honour them.

Legislation in Congress would allow the survivors access to U.S. courts in an effort to force Allianz to pay. They are currently blocked by an international agreement.