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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team faced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged actions against Israel's war in the Gaza Strip

Team representatives characterized the recent period as "an incredibly challenging period" but acknowledged "the necessity for change"

"Having strong commitment to our cyclists, staff, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, shifting departing from its present Israel-linked branding"

"In sport, advancement often requires compromise, and this measure is crucial to securing the future of the organization"

Team Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech squad, which features five UK riders including multiple French cycling tour champion Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli real estate billionaire Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Incidents and Protests

During the three-week Vuelta, multiple demonstrations and disruptions occurred, primarily targeting 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 race around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with cyclists and obstructed the course in several places

Recent Changes

Within the changes, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day role and will no longer speak on the squad's behalf

The 66-year-old businessman has been closely linked with the Israeli government and has previously referred to himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to Israel"

International Response

International cycling regulatory organization the UCI has declared it will persist to accept Israeli athletes at its events despite demands for athletic sanctions

After United Nations commission findings that stated Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that the government rejects - there have been growing calls for the nation to be suspended from international soccer competition

Background of Conflict

Israeli defense forces launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were murdered and 251 additional people were captured

Based on reports from the region's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been killed in Israeli attacks in the territory since that time

Analysis: Corporate Image Factors

This choice represents a major acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is creating unease in environments such as elite sport

Adams' involvement in Israel's politics is well known, though not officially assigned

The squad began largely thanks to Adams' enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can bring communities closer united in regions of the world away from its European traditional base

Despite some Grand Tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has found the pace challenging going at times at the elite level, and is unable to afford to jeopardize financial backers such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that business image is paramount