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During the recent Vuelta a Espana, the squad faced several interruptions as Palestinian-supporting protesters organized protests regarding the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Team officials characterized the past few months as "a particularly difficult period" but recognized "the need for transformation"

"Having strong dedication to our riders, staff, and valued sponsors, the choice has been made to rebrand and restructure the squad, shifting away from its current Israeli branding"

"In sport, progress often demands compromise, and this step is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the organization"

Team History and Composition

The Israel-Premier Tech squad, which features several British cyclists among them multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli real estate tycoon Sylvan Adams

Initially established as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canadian corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, numerous protests and disruptions took place, primarily targeting the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

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

The final leg of the race around the Spanish capital was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in altercations with cyclists and blocked the course in several locations

Recent Developments

As part of the restructuring, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily responsibilities and will cease speak on the squad's behalf

The 66-year-old entrepreneur has been closely linked with the Israeli government and has formerly referred to himself as a "self-appointed representative to the nation"

Global Reaction

World cycling regulatory organization the UCI has stated it will persist to accept Israeli competitors at its competitions despite demands for athletic boycotts

After United Nations commission conclusions that stated Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a claim that the government rejects - there have been increasing calls for the nation to be suspended from global soccer tournaments

Context of Conflict

The Israeli military launched a campaign in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 people were murdered and 251 others were taken hostage

According to reports from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israel's military actions in the territory since then

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

This decision constitutes a major admission by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is causing discomfort in environments such as professional sport

The owner's engagement in Israel's politics is widely recognized, although not officially designated

The team started largely due to the owner's passion for cycling, and belief that the sport can unite communities closer together in parts of the world distant from its European heartland

Regardless of some Grand Tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has found the pace hard going at times at the top level, and cannot afford to lose sponsors such as Canada's pesticide specialists Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that business image is everything