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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team experienced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized actions against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza

Squad representatives characterized the past few months as "an incredibly difficult period" but recognized "the need for change"

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, team members, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, shifting departing from its current Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, advancement often demands sacrifice, and this step is crucial to securing the future of the organization"

Squad Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes five UK riders among them multiple French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially established as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been supported by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Protests

During the three-week Spanish tour, multiple demonstrations and interruptions occurred, primarily targeting the participation of the cycling team

Midway during the competition, the squad ceased displaying their complete team name on their jerseys

The final stage of the tour around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian protests that caused scuffles with cyclists and obstructed the course in multiple locations

Recent Changes

As part of the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day role and will cease speak on the team's representation

This sixty-six-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly described himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to the nation"

Global Reaction

World cycling governing body the UCI has declared it will continue to welcome Israeli competitors at its competitions despite calls for sporting sanctions

Following UN investigation conclusions that stated the nation has performed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that Israel rejects - there have been increasing demands for the country to be suspended from international soccer competition

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military launched a operation in Gaza in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were captured

Based on data from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israel's military actions in the territory since that time

Perspective: Corporate Image Factors

This decision represents a major admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is causing unease in environments such as elite sport

The owner's engagement in Israel's politics is widely recognized, though not formally assigned

The squad started largely thanks to the owner's passion for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can unite societies closer together in regions of the globe distant from its continental heartland

Regardless of some Grand Tour leg wins, the team has found the pace challenging going at points at the top tier, and is unable to risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's pesticide specialists Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that business brand reputation is everything