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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized protests regarding Israel's war in Gaza

Squad representatives characterized the past few months as "an incredibly difficult period" but acknowledged "the need for change"

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, team members, and important sponsors, the choice has been made to rebrand and restructure the team, shifting departing from its present Israel-linked identity"

"In sport, progress often requires compromise, and this measure is essential to securing the long-term viability of the team"

Squad Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which features several UK cyclists among them multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and owned by Israeli-Canadian real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Events and Protests

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, multiple demonstrations and disruptions took place, primarily focusing on the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway during the competition, 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 altercations with riders and blocked the course in several places

Recent Changes

Within the changes, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will cease act on the squad's behalf

This 66-year-old entrepreneur has been closely associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to Israel"

Global Reaction

International cycling governing body the UCI has stated it will persist to accept Israel-based competitors at its competitions despite calls for sporting sanctions

After UN commission findings that declared the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinians in Gaza - a allegation that the government rejects - there have been increasing calls for the nation to be banned from global soccer tournaments

Background of Conflict

Israeli defense forces initiated a campaign in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 others were captured

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

Analysis: Business Image Considerations

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

Adams' engagement in Israeli politics is widely recognized, though not officially assigned

The squad started primarily due to the owner's passion for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can unite societies closer united in regions of the world away from its continental traditional base

Despite some major cycling tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level challenging to maintain at points at the elite tier, and cannot risk to lose financial backers such as Canada's agricultural chemical experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire businessman, Adams understands that business image is everything