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During the recent Vuelta a Espana, the team experienced multiple interruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized actions regarding the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad representatives described the past few months as "a particularly challenging period" but recognized "the need for transformation"

"Having strong commitment to our cyclists, staff, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and restructure the team, moving departing from its present Israeli branding"

"Within sports, progress often demands sacrifice, and this step is essential to securing the future of the team"

Squad History and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes several British cyclists including multiple French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property tycoon Sylvan Adams

Originally founded as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the team has been supported by Canada-based company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Events and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, multiple protests and interruptions took place, primarily focusing on the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway during the race, the team stopped using their complete team name on their jerseys

The final stage of the tour around the Spanish capital was cancelled following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused altercations with cyclists and blocked the route in multiple places

Recent Changes

As part of the changes, team proprietor Sylvan Adams will step back from his daily role and will cease act on the team's behalf

This sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been closely linked with the Israeli government and has previously described himself as a "unofficial ambassador to the nation"

International Response

International cycling governing organization the UCI has stated it will persist to welcome Israeli competitors at its events despite demands for sporting sanctions

Following United Nations investigation conclusions that declared the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a allegation that the government rejects - there have been increasing demands for the nation to be banned from global soccer tournaments

Background of Conflict

The Israeli military launched a operation in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-led assault on southern regions of the country on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were captured

Based on reports from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been killed in Israel's military actions in the territory since then

Perspective: Corporate Branding Considerations

The choice constitutes a major admission by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the presence of Israeli branding is creating discomfort in places such as elite sport

Adams' involvement in Israel's political affairs is well known, though not formally designated

This squad began primarily due to the owner's enthusiasm for professional cycling, and conviction that the sport can bring communities more together in parts of the globe distant from its continental heartland

Despite some Grand Tour stage victories, the team has found the pace hard going at times at the elite level, and cannot risk to lose sponsors such as Canada's agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

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