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During last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged protests regarding Israel's war in Gaza

Squad representatives described the past few months as "a particularly difficult time" but recognized "the necessity for transformation"

"With strong commitment to our riders, staff, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, shifting departing from its present Israeli branding"

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

Team History and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes five UK cyclists including four-time French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

During the three-week Spanish tour, numerous demonstrations and interruptions occurred, primarily focusing on the involvement of the cycling team

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

The final stage of the tour around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting protests that caused scuffles with riders and blocked the course in multiple places

Recent Changes

Within the changes, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily role and will no longer act on the squad's behalf

The sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

Global Response

International cycling regulatory body the UCI has stated it will persist to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite demands for athletic boycotts

Following United Nations commission findings that declared Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinians in Gaza - a claim that Israel denies - there have been increasing demands for the country to be banned from global soccer tournaments

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military launched a operation in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were taken hostage

According to reports from the region's Hamas-controlled health department, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israel's military actions in the territory since then

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

The choice constitutes a significant admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is causing unease in environments such as professional athletics

Adams' engagement in Israeli politics is well known, although not formally designated

This team started primarily thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can bring communities more united in regions of the world distant from its continental traditional base

Regardless of some Grand Tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the competition level hard going at times at the top level, and cannot afford to lose financial backers such as Canadian pesticide experts Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business brand reputation is everything