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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized actions regarding the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip

Team officials described the recent period as "a particularly difficult time" but acknowledged "the need for change"

"Having strong dedication to our riders, team members, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rebrand and restructure the team, shifting away from its present Israeli identity"

"Within sports, progress often demands sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of the organization"

Squad Background and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes five British riders including multiple Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Canadian-Israeli real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Protests

Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, numerous demonstrations and interruptions took place, mainly targeting the participation of the cycling team

Midway through the competition, the squad ceased using their complete team name on their cycling uniforms

The last stage of the tour around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with riders and obstructed the course in multiple places

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, squad owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily responsibilities and will cease act on the squad's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has previously described himself as a "unofficial representative to Israel"

International Reaction

World professional cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will continue to accept Israel-based competitors at its events despite demands for sporting boycotts

Following UN commission conclusions that stated the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been increasing demands for the country to be suspended from global soccer competition

Context of Conflict

Israeli military launched a operation in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were captured

According to reports from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israel's military actions in Gaza since that time

Perspective: Corporate Image Factors

The decision constitutes a major admission by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating unease in places such as elite athletics

Adams' engagement in Israeli political affairs is widely recognized, although not officially assigned

This squad started primarily due to Adams' enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can unite communities more together in parts of the globe distant from its European traditional base

Despite several major cycling tour leg wins, the team has found the pace challenging going at points at the elite level, and is unable to risk to lose financial backers such as Canada's agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

As a billionaire businessman, Adams understands that corporate image is everything