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Israeli cycling team Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) has lost its top sponsor despite complying with the sponsor’s request to remove the word “Israel” from the team name.
Canadian company Premier Tech announced it would end its partnership with the team in a statement released Friday.
“After several discussions with the team and careful assessment of all relevant circumstances, Premier Tech has decided to step down as co-title sponsor of the team, effective immediately,” the statement said.
“While we noted the team’s decision to change its name for the 2026 season, the primary reason why Premier Tech sponsors the team has been eclipsed to the point where it has become untenable for us to continue as a sponsor.”
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Team Israel Premier Tech’s American rider Matthew Riccitello 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 evolve toward a new name that excludes ‘Israel,’ leading to a new identity and branding.”
Pakinomist Digital has reached out to IPT for comment.
The team was banned from an October race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, due to concerns over potentially disruptive pro-Palestine protests.
The organizers took the decision after protesters repeatedly disrupted the recent Spanish Vuelta in the presence of Israel-Premier Tech.
Seven of the past 11 days of racing at the Vuelta were canceled or canceled because Spain’s 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 Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel Premier Tech cycling team (Getty Images)
The IPT’s loss of sponsorship is just one example of the latest difficulties facing Israeli sports teams and fans amid growing tensions over the country’s war in Gaza.
Israel’s national gymnastics team was denied a visa to enter Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships in October.
TEAM ISRAEL GYMNASTS SPEAK OUT AFTER BEING BANNED FROM THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE INDONESIA GOVERNMENT
The Indonesian government cited safety and security concerns for denying visas, but a spokesperson for the Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) confirmed to Pakinomist Digital that the country’s security team gave approval to its athletes.
“We received permission from the Israeli security authorities to participate in the World Cup, subject to the necessary security protocols being in place. From our side, all preparations were completed – registration process, entry visa to Indonesia and confirmation by Israeli security authorities,” the IGF said.
Israeli men’s gymnast Eyal Indig earlier told Pakinomist Digital that his country’s security team allowed him and his teammates to enter the city, citing decades-long security measures the country’s sports teams have used since the 1972 Munich Olympics, when eight terrorists affiliated with the Black September group sneaked into the Olympic Village in a failed mission to take Israeli hostages at
“For us it was very strange,” Indig said. “The same security guard did a scan a week before our flight in Indonesia. They were in Indonesia and they approved everything in terms of security. So we had full authorization from Israel’s security team and you can believe me they wouldn’t approve anything that wasn’t safe. And our federation kept telling us it was safe.”
Indig later called Indonesia’s decision “a blatant incident of discrimination on the basis of nationality.”
The Indonesian Embassy in the United States responded to Pakinomist Digital’s request for comment, saying, “The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has no further comment to share on this matter.”
Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir previously defended his country’s decision in a statement in the last week of October.
Lihie Raz of Israel, left, performs during the 10th European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antalya, Turkey, on April 12, 2023. Right, protesters gather in front of the US Embassy to express solidarity with Palestinians during an anti-Israel demonstration in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 26, 2025. (Getty Images)
“We adhere to the principle of maintaining security, public order and public interest in hosting any international event,” Thohir said.
Meanwhile, fans of Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv were barred from attending the team’s latest match against Aston Villa in the UK this week, also for security reasons. Maccabi Tel Aviv FC supporters were reportedly the target of violence in Amsterdam before and during the football team’s match against Ajax last year.
However, unrest still broke out at the match on Thursday, with anti-Israel protesters nearby.
British said the police six people were arrested on Thursday ahead of the Israeli team’s match against Aston Villa in a Europa League match.
Around 200 protesters gathered near a park near Aston Villa Park’s Trinity Road stand. Those protesters included members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, according to the Associated Press. Some pro-Israel protesters were also present.
