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During the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized actions against the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip

Team representatives characterized the past few months as "an incredibly difficult time" but recognized "the necessity for transformation"

"With strong dedication to our riders, staff, and important sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the team, moving departing from its present Israel-linked identity"

"In sport, progress often requires sacrifice, and this step is crucial to securing the future of the team"

Team History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech squad, which features several UK cyclists among them four-time French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Canadian-Israeli real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions took place, mainly focusing on the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway through the race, the squad ceased displaying their complete team name on their cycling uniforms

The last stage of the race around the Spanish capital was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused altercations with riders and obstructed the course in multiple locations

Recent Developments

As part of the restructuring, squad owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer speak on the squad's behalf

This 66-year-old entrepreneur has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly described himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

International Response

International professional cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will persist to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting sanctions

After United Nations commission findings that stated the nation has committed mass killing against Palestinian people in Gaza - a claim that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the country to be banned from global soccer tournaments

Context of Conflict

Israeli defense forces initiated a campaign in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 others were taken hostage

According to data from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza since that time

Analysis: Corporate Image Factors

The choice constitutes a major admission by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating unease in places such as professional sport

Adams' engagement in Israel's politics is well known, though not formally designated

The team began primarily thanks to Adams' passion for professional cycling, and conviction that the activity can bring societies more united in parts of the world away from its European traditional base

Regardless of some Grand Tour leg victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the competition level challenging going at points at the elite level, and cannot risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business image is everything