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During last month's Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized protests against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Team officials characterized the past few months as "an incredibly difficult period" but recognized "the need for change"

"Having steadfast commitment to our cyclists, staff, and important partners, the decision has been made to rename and restructure the team, moving away from its present Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, progress often requires sacrifice, and this step is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the organization"

Squad Background and Structure

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

Originally established as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been sponsored by Canadian corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Protests

Throughout the three-week Vuelta, multiple demonstrations and disruptions occurred, primarily focusing on the participation of the cycling team

Midway through the race, the team ceased displaying their complete team name on their jerseys

The final stage of the race around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests that resulted in scuffles with riders and blocked the course in several places

Recent Changes

Within the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will no longer speak on the squad's behalf

The 66-year-old entrepreneur has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to Israel"

Global Response

International cycling regulatory organization the UCI has stated it will continue to accept Israeli competitors at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts

After United Nations investigation conclusions that declared the nation has performed mass killing 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

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military launched a campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern regions of the country on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 additional people were captured

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

Analysis: Corporate Image Considerations

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

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

The squad started largely thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can unite communities closer united in regions of the world distant from its continental heartland

Regardless of several Grand Tour leg wins, the team has found the pace hard to maintain at times at the elite tier, and is unable to risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's pesticide specialists Premier Tech

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