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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced several interruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters organized actions against the Israeli war in Gaza

Squad representatives characterized the past few months as "an incredibly challenging time" but acknowledged "the need for change"

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, team members, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the team, shifting departing from its present Israel-linked branding"

"Within sports, progress often demands sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to securing the future of the team"

Team Background and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes several British cyclists among them four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Canadian-Israeli real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially founded as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

During the three-week Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions occurred, mainly targeting the participation of the cycling team

Halfway through the race, the squad ceased displaying their full name on their jerseys

The final leg of the race around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused scuffles with cyclists and blocked the course in several locations

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will no longer speak on the squad's representation

The 66-year-old businessman has been closely associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

Global Response

World professional cycling regulatory body the UCI has stated it will persist to welcome Israel-based athletes at its events despite demands for sporting boycotts

After United Nations investigation findings that declared Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinians in Gaza - a claim that the government rejects - there have been growing demands for the nation to be suspended from international football tournaments

Context of Conflict

Israeli military launched a operation in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and 251 others were captured

Based on data from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

This decision constitutes a significant acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is causing discomfort in places such as elite athletics

The owner's involvement in Israel's political affairs is widely recognized, though not officially assigned

The team started primarily thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can bring societies more united in parts of the world distant from its continental traditional base

Regardless of several major cycling tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level challenging to maintain at points at the elite tier, and is unable to risk to jeopardize sponsors such as Canadian agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

As a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that corporate image is everything