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During the recent Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators organized actions against Israel's war in Gaza

Squad officials characterized the past few months as "an incredibly difficult period" but recognized "the need for transformation"

"With strong commitment to our riders, staff, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, shifting departing from its current Israeli identity"

"Within sports, progress often requires sacrifice, and this measure is crucial to ensuring the future of the team"

Team History and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech squad, which includes several UK cyclists including multiple Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property billionaire Sylvan Adams

Initially established as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been supported by Canada-based corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Protests

During the three-week Spanish tour, numerous protests and interruptions took place, primarily targeting the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

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

The final leg of the race around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with cyclists and blocked the route in multiple places

Recent Developments

As part of the changes, squad owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily responsibilities and will cease act on the team's representation

The 66-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly linked with the Israeli government and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

International Response

World professional cycling regulatory organization the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israeli competitors at its competitions despite calls for athletic boycotts

After UN commission findings that stated the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinians in Gaza - a claim that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the nation to be suspended from international soccer tournaments

Background of Conflict

The Israeli military initiated a campaign in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were captured

According to reports from the region's Hamas-controlled health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza since that time

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

This choice represents a major admission by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is causing discomfort in environments such as elite sport

The owner's involvement in Israel's political affairs is widely recognized, though not formally designated

The squad began primarily thanks to the owner's enthusiasm for cycling, and conviction that the activity can unite communities closer united in parts of the globe distant from its European traditional base

Despite some Grand Tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the competition level hard going at points at the elite level, and cannot afford to jeopardize sponsors such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business brand reputation is everything