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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad experienced several interruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged actions regarding Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

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

"With strong commitment to our riders, team members, and important partners, the choice has been made to rebrand and re-brand the team, moving departing from its present Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, advancement often requires compromise, and this measure is essential to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Squad History and Structure

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

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

During the 21-day Vuelta, numerous demonstrations and disruptions occurred, mainly targeting the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

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

The final leg of the tour around Madrid was cancelled following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused altercations with cyclists and blocked the course in multiple places

Recent Developments

As part of the changes, team owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer speak on the squad's behalf

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

Global Reaction

World professional cycling governing body the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israel-based competitors at its events despite calls for athletic sanctions

Following United Nations commission conclusions that stated the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been increasing demands for the country to be suspended from global football tournaments

Context of Conflict

Israeli military launched a operation in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of the country on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were captured

Based on data from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in the territory since then

Perspective: Business Image Factors

This decision represents a significant acknowledgment by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is causing discomfort in places such as elite athletics

Adams' engagement in Israeli political affairs is well known, though not formally assigned

This squad began primarily due to the owner's enthusiasm for cycling, and conviction that the activity can unite communities more together in parts of the globe distant from its European traditional base

Regardless of several major cycling tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the competition level hard going at points at the elite level, and is unable to afford to lose sponsors such as Canadian agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

As a billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business brand reputation is everything