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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the team faced several disruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters staged actions regarding the Israeli military campaign in Gaza

Squad officials described the past few months as "a particularly challenging time" but recognized "the necessity for change"

"With strong dedication to our cyclists, team members, and valued partners, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the squad, shifting departing from its current Israeli branding"

"In sport, progress often demands sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of the team"

Squad Background and Composition

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

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the 21-day Spanish tour, multiple demonstrations and interruptions occurred, mainly targeting the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway through the competition, the squad stopped displaying their complete name on their cycling uniforms

The final stage of the race around the Spanish capital was called off following Palestinian-supporting protests that resulted in altercations with riders and blocked the course in multiple places

Recent Changes

Within the restructuring, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will cease act on the squad's behalf

The sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has formerly described himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation"

International Reaction

International cycling governing body the UCI has stated it will persist to welcome Israel-based competitors at its competitions despite calls for athletic boycotts

After United Nations investigation conclusions that declared Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that the government denies - there have been growing demands for the country to be banned from international football competition

Context of Hostilities

The Israeli defense forces launched a operation in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-organized attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were taken hostage

According to reports from the region's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israel's attacks in the territory since that time

Analysis: Business Image Considerations

This decision constitutes a significant acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is causing unease in environments such as elite sport

Adams' involvement in Israel's politics is widely recognized, although not officially assigned

This squad began primarily due to the owner's enthusiasm for cycling, and conviction that the sport can bring societies closer together in regions of the globe away from its European traditional base

Despite some major cycling tour leg victories, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level hard to maintain at points at the top tier, and is unable to risk to lose sponsors such as Canadian agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that corporate brand reputation is everything