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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters staged actions against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

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

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, staff, and important partners, the choice has been made to rename and restructure the squad, moving departing from its current Israel-linked identity"

"In sport, advancement often demands sacrifice, and this step is crucial to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Squad Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which features several British riders including multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Israeli-Canadian real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Incidents and Protests

During the 21-day Spanish tour, multiple demonstrations and disruptions took place, mainly focusing on the involvement of the cycling team

Midway during the race, the squad ceased displaying their full team name on their cycling uniforms

The last leg of the tour around the Spanish capital was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in altercations with cyclists and obstructed the course in several places

Recent Changes

As part of the restructuring, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will no longer speak on the squad's behalf

This sixty-six-year-old businessman has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to Israel"

International Reaction

International professional cycling governing body the UCI has stated it will continue to welcome Israel-based athletes at its events despite demands for sporting boycotts

Following UN investigation findings that declared Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinians in Gaza - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been increasing calls for the nation to be suspended from global soccer tournaments

Context of Conflict

The Israeli military initiated a campaign in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern regions of the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage

Based on data from the region's Hamas-controlled health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been killed in Israel's military actions in Gaza since that time

Perspective: Corporate Image Factors

The decision represents a major admission by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is causing unease in places such as professional sport

Adams' engagement in Israel's politics is well known, though not officially assigned

The team began primarily thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can bring societies more united in regions of the globe away from its continental traditional base

Regardless of several major cycling tour stage victories, the team has experienced the competition level challenging going at points at the top level, and is unable to risk to jeopardize sponsors such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech

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