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 survivors’ efforts to collect some $2.5 billion in World War II-era Jewish policies.

Survivors and supporters celebrated Monday in Boca Raton the decision to end Allianz’s sponsorship of the annual PGA senior tournament. That sponsorship drew protests by Jewish groups the last seven years.

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 refused to honor them.

The company says it paid off most of the policies through the International Commission on Holocaust Insurance Claims and will pay any other legitimate claims.

Congress has rejected efforts to allow survivors to sue Allianz in U.S. courts.