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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team faced multiple disruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged protests regarding the Israeli war in Gaza

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

"With steadfast dedication to our riders, staff, and important sponsors, the decision has been made to rename and restructure the squad, moving away from its current Israeli identity"

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

Team Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which features several UK cyclists including four-time French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Israeli-Canadian real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams

Originally founded as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, numerous demonstrations and disruptions took place, primarily targeting the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

Midway through the race, the squad stopped using their full name on their cycling uniforms

The final stage of the tour around the Spanish capital was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with cyclists and blocked the route in several places

Recent Developments

Within the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his day-to-day role and will no longer speak on the squad's representation

The 66-year-old businessman has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly referred to himself as a "self-appointed ambassador to the nation"

Global Response

World cycling governing body the UCI has stated it will continue to accept Israeli competitors at its events despite demands for sporting sanctions

After UN investigation findings that declared the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinians in Gaza - a claim that Israel denies - there have been growing calls for the country to be banned from global soccer competition

Background of Hostilities

Israeli military initiated a campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern the country on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were captured

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

Perspective: Business Branding Factors

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

The owner's involvement in Israeli political affairs is well known, though not formally assigned

This squad started primarily due to Adams' enthusiasm for professional cycling, and conviction that the activity can bring societies closer united in parts of the globe away from its continental heartland

Regardless of several major cycling tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level challenging going at points at the top level, and cannot afford to lose financial backers such as Canada's pesticide experts Premier Tech

As a billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business image is everything