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Israeli The Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) cycling team has lost its main sponsor, despite complying with the sponsor's request to remove the word “Israel” from the team name.
Canadian Premier Tech announced it was ending its partnership with the team in a statement released Friday.
“After numerous discussions with the team and careful evaluation of all relevant circumstances, Premier Tech has decided to step down as co-sponsor of the team effective immediately,” the statement said.
“While we have taken note of the team's decision to change its name for the 2026 season, the primary reason Premier Tech sponsored the team has been clouded to the extent that it has become impossible for us to continue as a sponsor.”
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American Israel Premier Tech rider Matthew Riccitiello crosses the finish line during stage 14 of the Vuelta a España, a 135-kilometer race between Aviles and La Farrapona. (Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)
In September, after agreeing to drop the word “Israel” from its name, the team said it “expects the team to evolve towards a new name that excludes the word 'Israel', resulting in a new identity and branding.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to IPT for comment.
The team was pulled out of October's race in Italy, the Giro del Emilia, due to concerns about potentially devastating consequences. pro-Palestinian protests.
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 racing at the Vuelta were interrupted or abandoned as the Spanish government estimated 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 condemning Israel's military campaign in Gaza following the deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Pro-Palestinian protesters and the Israel Premier Tech cycling team (Getty Images)
The loss of IPT sponsorship is just one example of the recent difficulties faced by Israeli sports teams and fans amid rising tensions over the war in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli gymnastics team was denied a visa to enter Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships in October.
ISRAELI GYMNASTS SPEAK OUT AFTER THE INDONESIA GOVERNMENT'S SUSPENSION FROM THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Indonesian government cited security concerns and visa denials, but a spokesperson for the Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) confirmed to Fox News Digital that country security The team gave clearance to its athletes.
“We have received permission from the Israeli security authorities to participate in the World Cup, subject to the necessary security protocols. On our part, all preparations have been completed – the registration process, entry visas to Indonesia and confirmation from the Israeli security authorities,” the IGF said.
Israeli men's gymnast Eyal Indig previously told Fox News Digital that his country's security gave him and his teammates permission to enter the city, citing decades-old security measures the country's sports teams have used since the 1972 Munich Olympics, when eight terrorists linked to the Black September group snuck into the Olympic Village in a failed mission to take Israeli athletes hostage.
“It was very strange for us,” Indig said. “The same security team carried out a scan a week before our flight to Indonesia. They were in Indonesia and approved everything from a security point of view. So, we have received full clearance from Israeli security, and you can trust me that they do not authorize anything that is unsafe. And our federation kept telling us it was safe.”
Indig later called Indonesia's decision “a blatant case of discrimination based on nationality.”
The Indonesian Embassy in the US responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment, saying: “The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has no further comment on this matter.”
Indonesian Sports Minister Erik Thohir previously defended his country's decision in a statement in the last week of October.
Dashing Raz of Israel performs from left during the 10th European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antalya, Türkiye, April 12, 2023. At right, protesters gather in front of the US Embassy to show 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 in every international event,” Thohir said.
Meanwhile, fans of Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv were banned from attending the team's recent match against Aston Villa in the UK this week, also due to security concerns. Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv football club were reportedly the target of violence in Amsterdam before and during the football team's match against Ajax last year.
However, unrest did break out during Thursday's game as anti-Israel protesters were nearby.
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British the police said Six people were arrested on Thursday ahead of the Israeli team's Europa League match against Aston Villa.
Around 200 protesters gathered outside the park near the Trinity Road stand at Aston Villa Park. Those protesters included members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, according to the Associated Press. Some pro-Israel protesters were also present.
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