Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has claimed that his former team, Israel-Premier Tech, is seeking millions of euros in damages from him after he left the squad due to his "personal-belief standpoint."

Gee, who finished fourth at the Giro d'Italia earlier this year, left the Israel-Premier Tech team, which has been targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters in recent races, just before the Vuelta a España Grand Tour, which began in August.

Derek Gee Says Departure Came Over Safety And Ethical Concerns

Gee claims that the team, owned by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams — a self-appointed ambassador to Israel, which has spent two years fighting Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza — is seeking damages of around 30 million euros ($34.7 million) from him.

"I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person's right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee said in a statement posted on social media.

"The decision was not taken lightly — it followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team, from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint."

It was not clear from Gee's post how the team was claiming damages, as he said it was now up to cycling's global governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI), to rule on his case rather than an employment tribunal.

Israel-Premier Tech Faces Protests And Race Exclusions

Several stages of the Vuelta were disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, raising fears for rider safety after protesters caused two crashes during the race.

The Spanish government had called for Israel-Premier Tech to be expelled from the Vuelta and has also urged Israel to be barred from international sports over what it described as the country's "genocide" in Gaza.

Israel-Premier Tech — a privately owned team — was excluded from two Italian races last week and reached a "mutual agreement" with organizers RCS Sport not to compete in this weekend's Giro di Lombardia, the final of five Monument events this season.

The team also announced on Monday that it would change its name to move away from its "Israeli identity."

After two years of war in Gaza that have left the territory devastated, U.S. President Donald Trump announced late on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a peace plan.