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During last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad experienced several interruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters staged protests against Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad officials described the past few months as "an incredibly challenging time" but acknowledged "the necessity for transformation"

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

"Within sports, advancement often demands sacrifice, and this step is essential to ensuring the future of the team"

Squad History and Structure

Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes five UK riders among them multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Israeli-Canadian property tycoon Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

During the 21-day Vuelta, numerous protests and disruptions occurred, primarily targeting the participation of the cycling team

Midway through the race, the squad ceased using their complete name on their jerseys

The final stage of the race around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in altercations with cyclists and obstructed the route in multiple places

Recent Developments

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

This sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has previously described himself as a "unofficial representative to Israel"

Global Reaction

World professional cycling regulatory organization the UCI has declared it will continue to accept Israel-based competitors at its events despite calls for athletic sanctions

After United Nations investigation conclusions that stated Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a claim that the government denies - there have been growing demands for the nation to be suspended from global football tournaments

Background of Conflict

Israeli military launched a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern regions of Israel on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 additional people were captured

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 then

Analysis: Business Image Considerations

This decision constitutes a significant acknowledgment by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating unease in environments such as professional sport

The owner's involvement in Israel's political affairs is well known, though not formally assigned

The squad began largely due to the owner's passion for cycling, and conviction that the activity can bring communities closer united in parts of the world distant from its continental traditional base

Regardless of several major cycling tour leg wins, the team has experienced the pace hard going at times at the elite tier, and is unable to risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's pesticide specialists Premier Tech

As a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that corporate image is paramount