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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged protests against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza

Squad representatives characterized the recent period as "an incredibly difficult period" but acknowledged "the necessity for change"

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, team members, and important sponsors, the choice has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, moving away from its current Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, progress often requires compromise, and this step is essential to securing the future of the team"

Squad History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes several UK cyclists including four-time French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Protests

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, numerous demonstrations and disruptions took place, primarily targeting the involvement of the cycling team

Halfway through the race, the team ceased displaying their full team name on their cycling uniforms

The last stage of the tour around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian protests that resulted in altercations with cyclists and obstructed the route in multiple places

Recent Changes

As part of the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily role and will no longer speak on the team's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly associated with the Israeli administration and has formerly referred to himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to Israel"

International Response

International cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will persist to welcome Israeli athletes at its events despite calls for sporting boycotts

After United Nations investigation findings that stated Israel has performed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - a allegation that the government rejects - there have been growing calls for the country to be banned from international soccer tournaments

Context of Hostilities

Israeli defense forces initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were captured

According to reports from the region's Hamas-controlled health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been killed in Israel's attacks in Gaza since that time

Analysis: Corporate Image Factors

This decision represents a major admission by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating unease in environments such as elite athletics

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

This squad began primarily thanks to the owner's passion for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can unite communities closer united in regions of the globe distant from its European traditional base

Despite some Grand Tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has found the pace hard going at times at the top level, and is unable to risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business brand reputation is everything