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Throughout the recent Vuelta a Espana, the team faced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters organized protests against Israel's war in the Gaza Strip

Squad officials described the recent period as "an incredibly challenging period" but acknowledged "the necessity for change"

"Having strong commitment to our riders, team members, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, shifting away from its current Israel-linked identity"

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

Squad Background and Structure

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

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

Recent Incidents and Protests

Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions occurred, primarily focusing on the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway during the race, the squad ceased displaying their complete team name on their jerseys

The last leg of the tour around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting protests that resulted in altercations with riders and blocked the route in several locations

Recent Changes

Within the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will cease act on the squad's behalf

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly associated with the Israeli government and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to Israel"

Global Reaction

International cycling governing body the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israeli athletes at its competitions despite demands for sporting sanctions

After United Nations commission conclusions that stated Israel has committed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the country to be banned from international soccer competition

Context of Conflict

The Israeli military initiated a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern regions of Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and 251 others were captured

According to data from the region's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since that time

Perspective: Business Image Considerations

The choice constitutes a major acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is causing discomfort in environments such as elite sport

The owner's engagement in Israel's political affairs is well known, although not formally designated

This squad began primarily thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can bring communities more together in parts of the world distant from its continental traditional base

Regardless of some major cycling tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace hard going at times at the elite tier, and cannot risk to lose financial backers such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams understands that corporate brand reputation is paramount