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Throughout the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced several interruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters organized actions regarding the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad officials characterized the past few months as "a particularly challenging period" but recognized "the need for change"

"Having strong dedication to our riders, staff, and important sponsors, the decision has been made to rename and restructure the squad, shifting away from its current Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, advancement often demands compromise, and this step is essential to securing the long-term viability of the organization"

Squad Background and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes several UK cyclists among them four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

Originally founded as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canada-based company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

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

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

The last stage of the race around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with riders and blocked the course in multiple places

Recent Developments

As part of the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer speak on the team's representation

This sixty-six-year-old businessman has been closely linked with the Israeli government and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

International Reaction

International cycling regulatory body the UCI has declared it will continue to accept Israeli athletes at its events despite calls for sporting boycotts

After United Nations commission findings that stated the nation has performed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that Israel rejects - there have been growing calls for the country to be banned from global soccer competition

Context of Hostilities

The Israeli military initiated a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of the country on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were taken hostage

Based on data from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 individuals have been killed in Israel's attacks in the territory since then

Analysis: Business Image Considerations

The choice represents a major acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is causing discomfort in places such as elite sport

Adams' engagement in Israeli politics is widely recognized, though not officially assigned

This squad started primarily thanks to Adams' passion for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can bring societies closer together in parts of the globe distant from its European traditional base

Regardless of some major cycling tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has found the pace hard to maintain at times at the top level, and cannot risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that corporate image is everything