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During the recent Spanish cycling tour, the squad faced several interruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators staged protests against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza

Team officials characterized the recent period as "an incredibly difficult time" but acknowledged "the necessity for transformation"

"Having steadfast commitment to our riders, team members, and important sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the team, moving departing from its present Israeli identity"

"In sport, advancement often requires compromise, and this step is crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of the team"

Squad History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which features five UK riders among them multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially established 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 21-day Vuelta, numerous protests and disruptions occurred, mainly targeting the participation of the cycling team

Halfway during the competition, the squad ceased using their complete team name on their jerseys

The last leg of the race around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused altercations with cyclists and blocked the course in several places

Recent Changes

Within the changes, squad proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily responsibilities and will no longer act on the squad's behalf

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

International Reaction

International cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will continue to accept Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts

After United Nations investigation conclusions that declared Israel has committed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the nation to be banned from global football tournaments

Background of Hostilities

Israeli defense forces initiated a campaign 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 killed and 251 others were captured

Based on data from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli military actions in the territory since that time

Analysis: Corporate Image Factors

The decision constitutes a major acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating discomfort in environments such as elite sport

The owner's involvement in Israel's political affairs is widely recognized, although not officially designated

The team started largely thanks to the owner's passion for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can bring communities closer together in parts of the globe away from its European traditional base

Despite several major cycling tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace challenging going at times at the top level, and cannot afford to lose financial backers such as Canadian agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

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