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Israeli cycling team Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) has lost its main sponsor despite honoring the sponsor’s request to remove the word “Israel” from the team’s name.
Canadian company Premier Tech announced it would end its partnership with the team in a statement released Friday.
“After multiple discussions with the team and careful evaluation of all relevant circumstances, Premier Tech has decided to step down from its role as co-title sponsor of the team effective immediately,” the statement said.
“While we have noted the team’s decision to change its name for the 2026 season, the primary reason Premier Tech sponsored the team has been eclipsed to the point where it has become untenable for us to continue as a sponsor.
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American rider Matthew Riccitello of Team Israel Premier Tech crosses the finish line during the 14th stage of the Vuelta a España cycling tour, a 135-kilometer race between Aviles and La Farrapona. (Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)
In September, after agreeing to drop “Israel” from its name, the team said it “expects the team to move toward a new name excluding “Israel,” leading to a new identity and branding.”
PK Press Club Digital has contacted IPT for comment.
The team was excluded from an October race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, due to fears of potential disruption. pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Organizers made the decision after protesters repeatedly disrupted the recent Spanish Vuelta in the presence of Israel-Premier Tech.
Seven of the last 11 days of Vuelta racing were shortened or halted because the Spanish government estimated that more than 100,000 people were on the streets of Madrid during the final stage in September.
The protesters said their actions were aimed at denouncing the Israeli military campaign in Gaza following the deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli cycling team Premier Tech (Getty Images)
The loss of IPT sponsorship is just one example of recent difficulties faced by Israeli sports teams and fans amid growing tensions over the war in Gaza.
The Israeli national gymnastics team was denied a visa to enter Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships in October.
TEAM ISRAEL GYMNASTS SPEAK AFTER BEING BANNED FROM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BY INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT
The Indonesian government cited security concerns as the reason for denying the visas, but a spokesperson for the Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) confirmed to PK Press Club Digital that the security of the country the team gave permission to its athletes.
“We received permission from Israeli security authorities to participate in the World Championship subject to the necessary security protocols in place. From our side, all preparations were completed: registration process, entry visas to Indonesia and confirmation from Israeli security authorities,” the IGF said.
Israeli gymnast Eyal Indig previously told PK Press Club Digital that his country’s security team gave him and his teammates permission to enter the city, citing decades-long security measures implemented by the country’s sports teams since the 1972 Munich Olympics, when eight terrorists associated with the Black September group infiltrated the Olympic Village as part of a failed mission to take Israeli athletes hostage.
“For us it was very strange,” Indig said. “This same security did a scan a week before our flight to Indonesia. They were in Indonesia and they cleared everything security-wise. So we had full clearance from the Israeli security team, and you can believe me they wouldn’t allow anything that wasn’t safe. And our federation kept telling us it was safe.”
Indig later called the Indonesian decision “a blatant incident of discrimination based on nationality.”
The Indonesian Embassy in the United States responded to PK Press Club Digital’s request for comment by stating: “The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has no further comments to share on this matter. »
Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir previously defended his country’s decision in a statement released in the last week of October.
Lihie Raz of Israel, left, performs during the 10th European Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Antalya, Turkey, April 12, 2023. Right, protesters gather in front of the U.S. Embassy to express solidarity with Palestinians during an anti-Israel rally in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 26, 2025. (Getty Images)
“We adhere to the principle of maintaining security, public order and public interest by hosting every international event,” Thohir said.
Meanwhile, fans of Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv were banned from attending the team’s recent match against Aston Villa in the United Kingdom this week, also due to security concerns. Maccabi Tel Aviv FC fans were reportedly targets of violence in Amsterdam before and during the soccer team’s match against Ajax last year.
However, unrest still erupted during Thursday’s match, with anti-Israel protesters nearby.
British the police said Six people were arrested on Thursday before the Israeli team’s match against Aston Villa in the Europa League.
Around 200 protesters gathered near a park near Aston Villa Park’s Trinity Road stand. These protesters included members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, according to The Associated Press. Pro-Israeli demonstrators were also present.
