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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized protests regarding the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip

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

"With steadfast dedication to our riders, staff, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the team, shifting departing from its current Israeli branding"

"In sport, advancement often requires compromise, and this step is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the team"

Team History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes several UK riders including multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

During the three-week Vuelta, multiple demonstrations and interruptions took place, mainly targeting the involvement of the cycling team

Halfway through the competition, the squad ceased using their full team name on their jerseys

The final leg of the tour around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian protests that caused scuffles with riders and blocked the course in multiple places

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, squad owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day role and will no longer act on the team's representation

The sixty-six-year-old businessman has been closely associated with the Israeli government and has formerly described himself as a "unofficial ambassador to Israel"

International Reaction

World professional cycling governing body the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israeli competitors at its events despite calls for athletic boycotts

After UN commission findings that stated the nation has committed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the country to be banned from global football tournaments

Background of Conflict

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

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then

Perspective: Business Image Considerations

This decision constitutes a major acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating discomfort in places such as elite sport

Adams' engagement in Israel's political affairs is widely recognized, though not officially designated

The squad began largely due to Adams' enthusiasm for cycling, and conviction that the sport can bring communities closer together in parts of the globe distant from its continental traditional base

Regardless of some major cycling tour leg wins, the team has experienced the competition level hard going at points at the top level, and cannot afford to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire businessman, Adams understands that corporate brand reputation is everything