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Throughout the recent Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters organized protests against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza

Team representatives described the past few months as "an incredibly difficult period" but acknowledged "the necessity for transformation"

"With steadfast dedication to our cyclists, staff, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the squad, shifting away from its current Israeli identity"

"Within sports, advancement often demands sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Team Background and Composition

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

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Vuelta, multiple protests and disruptions occurred, mainly targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway through the competition, the squad ceased using their complete name on their jerseys

The final leg of the race around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that resulted in altercations with cyclists and obstructed the course in multiple locations

Recent Developments

As part of the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily responsibilities and will no longer speak on the team's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly described himself as a "self-appointed representative to the nation"

International Response

International professional cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will continue to accept Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for athletic boycotts

Following United Nations commission conclusions that stated the nation has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been increasing calls for the country to be banned from global soccer tournaments

Background of Hostilities

The Israeli military initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in reaction 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 taken hostage

According to data from the region's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli military actions in Gaza since then

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

The decision represents a major acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating discomfort in places such as professional sport

Adams' engagement in Israel's politics is widely recognized, although not officially assigned

The team started primarily thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can unite communities closer united in regions of the world distant from its European traditional base

Regardless of some Grand Tour leg wins, Israel-Premier Tech has found the pace hard going at points at the elite level, and cannot afford to jeopardize sponsors such as Canada's pesticide specialists Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that corporate brand reputation is paramount