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During the recent Spanish cycling tour, the team faced several disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized protests against Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

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

"Having strong commitment to our cyclists, staff, and valued partners, the choice has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, moving departing from its current Israeli branding"

"In sport, progress often requires compromise, and this measure is essential to ensuring the future of the team"

Squad Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which features five UK cyclists among them four-time French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

Initially founded as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been sponsored by Canada-based company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions took place, primarily targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway during the competition, the squad stopped using their full team name on their cycling uniforms

The final leg of the tour around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused altercations with riders and blocked the route in several locations

Recent Developments

As part of the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily responsibilities and will cease act on the team's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation"

Global Reaction

World cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israeli competitors at its events despite demands for sporting sanctions

After UN commission conclusions that stated Israel has performed genocide against Palestinians in the territory - a claim that the government denies - there have been growing calls for the nation to be banned from global soccer tournaments

Context of Hostilities

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 others were captured

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

Perspective: Corporate Image Factors

This choice constitutes a significant acknowledgment by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is causing discomfort in environments such as professional athletics

Adams' engagement in Israel's politics is well known, although not formally assigned

The team began primarily thanks to Adams' passion for professional cycling, and belief that the activity can bring communities closer together in regions of the world distant from its European heartland

Despite some major cycling tour leg wins, the team has found the pace challenging to maintain at times at the elite level, and cannot risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams understands that business brand reputation is paramount