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Throughout last month's Vuelta a Espana, the team experienced several disruptions as pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized protests against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Team officials characterized the past few months as "a particularly difficult time" but acknowledged "the necessity for transformation"

"Having steadfast commitment to our riders, staff, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rebrand and re-brand the team, shifting away from its present Israel-linked branding"

"Within sports, advancement often requires compromise, and this step is essential to securing the future of the organization"

Squad History and Composition

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

Originally founded as Israel Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been sponsored by Canada-based corporation Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Protests

During the 21-day Vuelta, multiple demonstrations and disruptions occurred, primarily focusing on the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway through the race, the team ceased using their full name on their jerseys

The last leg of the tour around Madrid was called off following pro-Palestinian protests that caused altercations with cyclists and obstructed the route in multiple places

Recent Changes

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

This sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been strongly associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's government and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to Israel"

International Response

International professional cycling governing organization the UCI has declared it will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts

Following United Nations investigation findings that declared Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in Gaza - a allegation that Israel denies - there have been increasing calls for the nation to be banned from international soccer competition

Background of Conflict

The Israeli defense forces launched a campaign in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 people were murdered and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on data from the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli military actions in Gaza since then

Analysis: Corporate Image Considerations

The choice represents a major admission by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is causing unease in places such as elite athletics

Adams' engagement in Israel's politics is well known, though not officially assigned

The squad began largely due to Adams' passion for cycling, and belief that the activity can bring communities more together in regions of the globe distant from its continental heartland

Despite several major cycling tour stage wins, Israel-Premier Tech has experienced the pace hard to maintain at points at the elite tier, and cannot risk to jeopardize sponsors such as Canadian pesticide experts Premier Tech

Being a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams understands that corporate image is everything