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During last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged actions against Israel's military campaign in Gaza

Team representatives described the recent period as "a particularly difficult period" but recognized "the necessity for change"

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

"In sport, progress often requires sacrifice, and this step is crucial to ensuring the future of the team"

Squad History and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which features several UK riders among them multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Protests

During the 21-day Spanish tour, multiple protests and disruptions occurred, mainly targeting the involvement of the cycling team

Midway during the competition, the team stopped displaying their full name on their jerseys

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

Recent Developments

Within the changes, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer speak on the squad's representation

This 66-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly linked with the Israeli administration and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation"

International Reaction

International professional cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will continue to welcome Israel-based competitors at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts

After United Nations commission conclusions that declared the nation has committed mass killing against Palestinian people in Gaza - a allegation that Israel rejects - there have been increasing demands for the country to be banned from international football competition

Context of Conflict

The Israeli military launched a campaign in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-organized attack on southern regions of Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were captured

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been killed in Israeli military actions in Gaza since that time

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

The choice represents a major admission by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is creating unease in environments such as elite athletics

Adams' involvement in Israel's political affairs is well known, although not officially assigned

This squad began primarily due to the owner's passion for cycling, and belief that the activity can bring societies more together in regions of the globe away from its European heartland

Regardless of several major cycling tour leg wins, the team has experienced the pace hard going at times at the elite level, and cannot risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

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