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Throughout the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters staged protests against the Israeli war in Gaza

Team representatives characterized the past few months as "a particularly difficult time" but acknowledged "the need for change"

"Having steadfast commitment to our cyclists, staff, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, moving away from its present Israel-linked branding"

"Within sports, progress often requires sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Team History and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which features five British cyclists among them multiple Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property tycoon Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Vuelta, numerous protests and interruptions occurred, primarily targeting the involvement of the cycling team

Halfway through the competition, the team stopped displaying their full team name on their jerseys

The final stage of the tour around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused altercations with riders and obstructed the course in multiple places

Recent Changes

Within the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day role and will no longer speak on the team's representation

The 66-year-old businessman has been closely associated with the Israeli government and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation"

International Response

International cycling regulatory organization the UCI has stated it will continue to welcome Israel-based athletes at its competitions despite demands for sporting sanctions

Following UN commission conclusions that declared Israel has performed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - a allegation that the government rejects - there have been increasing demands for the nation to be suspended from international soccer tournaments

Context of Hostilities

Israeli military initiated a campaign in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led assault on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on data from the region's Hamas-controlled health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli military actions in the territory since then

Perspective: Business Branding Considerations

The decision represents a significant acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is creating discomfort in places such as professional athletics

The owner's engagement in Israel's politics is well known, although not officially designated

The team started primarily due to Adams' passion for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can bring societies more united in regions of the world distant from its continental traditional base

Despite several Grand Tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level challenging going at points at the elite tier, and is unable to risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech

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