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Throughout the recent Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators staged protests against the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip

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

"With steadfast commitment to our riders, team members, and important partners, the decision has been made to rename and re-brand the team, moving departing from its present Israel-linked branding"

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

Squad History and Composition

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

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

Recent Incidents and Protests

Throughout the 21-day Vuelta, multiple protests and interruptions took place, mainly focusing on the involvement of the cycling team

Midway during the competition, the squad stopped using their full team name on their cycling uniforms

The final stage of the race around Madrid was called off following Palestinian-supporting demonstrations that resulted in altercations with riders and obstructed the route in multiple places

Recent Developments

Within the changes, team owner Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily responsibilities and will cease act on the squad's representation

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

International Response

World cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will persist to welcome Israel-based competitors at its events despite calls for athletic sanctions

After UN investigation conclusions that declared Israel has performed genocide against Palestinians in the territory - a claim that the government denies - there have been increasing demands for the nation to be suspended from global soccer competition

Background of Conflict

The Israeli military initiated a campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 additional people were taken hostage

According to data from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been killed in Israeli attacks in the territory since then

Analysis: Corporate Image Considerations

This choice represents a significant acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is creating unease in places such as elite sport

The owner's engagement in Israeli politics is well known, although not formally assigned

The team started largely due to Adams' enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the sport can bring societies closer together in regions of the globe away from its continental traditional base

Despite several major cycling tour stage victories, the team has experienced the competition level challenging to maintain at points at the elite tier, and cannot risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian pesticide experts Premier Tech

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