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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged protests regarding the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip

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

"Having strong dedication to our riders, team members, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rebrand and re-brand the squad, moving away from its current Israeli identity"

"Within sports, advancement often demands compromise, and this measure is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the organization"

Team Background and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes several British riders among them multiple Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, numerous protests and disruptions took place, mainly targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway during the race, the squad stopped using their full name on their cycling uniforms

The final leg of the tour around the Spanish capital was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused scuffles with riders and obstructed the course in multiple places

Recent Changes

As part of the restructuring, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily responsibilities and will cease act on the team's representation

The 66-year-old businessman has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

Global Reaction

World cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will continue to welcome Israel-based athletes at its events despite demands for sporting sanctions

Following United Nations commission conclusions that declared the nation has committed genocide against Palestinians in the territory - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the country to be suspended from global soccer tournaments

Context of Hostilities

Israeli defense forces launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured

According to data from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israeli military actions in Gaza since that time

Analysis: Business Image Considerations

This choice represents a significant acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is creating discomfort in environments such as elite athletics

The owner's involvement in Israeli political affairs is well known, though not officially designated

This squad started largely due to the owner's enthusiasm for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can bring societies closer together in regions of the globe distant from its European heartland

Regardless of several Grand Tour leg victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace hard to maintain at points at the elite level, and is unable to afford to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

As a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that business image is paramount