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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple interruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged actions regarding the Israeli military campaign in Gaza

Team officials characterized the past few months as "an incredibly challenging time" but recognized "the need for change"

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, team members, and valued partners, the decision has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, shifting departing from its present Israeli branding"

"In sport, progress often demands sacrifice, and this measure is essential to securing the long-term viability of the organization"

Team History and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes five UK riders among them multiple Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and owned by Canadian-Israeli real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

Originally established as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been supported by Canadian corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, multiple demonstrations and interruptions occurred, mainly focusing on the involvement of the cycling team

Midway through the race, the team ceased displaying their complete team name on their cycling uniforms

The last stage of the race around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that caused altercations with riders and obstructed the route in several places

Recent Changes

Within the changes, team owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day role and will no longer act on the squad's representation

This 66-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with the Israeli government and has previously described himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

Global Reaction

International cycling governing body the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israeli athletes at its events despite calls for athletic boycotts

After UN commission conclusions that declared Israel has committed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a allegation that Israel rejects - there have been increasing demands for the nation to be suspended from international football competition

Context of Conflict

The Israeli military initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in the territory since then

Analysis: Business Image Considerations

The decision constitutes a significant admission by the squad and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Brand Israel is creating unease in environments such as elite sport

Adams' involvement in Israel's politics is well known, although not formally assigned

The squad began largely thanks to the owner's passion for cycling, and conviction that the activity can unite communities more united in regions of the world distant from its continental traditional base

Regardless of several major cycling tour leg victories, the team has experienced the pace challenging to maintain at times at the top tier, and is unable to risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

As a billionaire businessman, Adams understands that corporate brand reputation is everything