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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad experienced several disruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators staged actions against Israel's military campaign in Gaza

Team representatives described the past few months as "a particularly difficult time" but recognized "the necessity for change"

"With steadfast dedication to our cyclists, team members, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rename and restructure the team, shifting departing from its present Israel-linked identity"

"Within sports, advancement often demands compromise, and this measure is crucial to securing the long-term viability of the organization"

Squad Background and Structure

The Israel-Premier Tech team, which features five British riders including four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, is Israeli-registered and controlled by Israeli-Canadian property tycoon Sylvan Adams

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

Recent Incidents and Protests

Throughout the 21-day Spanish tour, multiple protests and interruptions took place, mainly focusing on the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway through the competition, the squad stopped using their full name on their jerseys

The last stage of the tour around Madrid was cancelled following Palestinian-supporting protests that resulted in scuffles with cyclists and obstructed the course in several locations

Recent Changes

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

The sixty-six-year-old entrepreneur has been closely associated with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has formerly referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to the nation"

International Response

World cycling regulatory body the UCI has stated it will continue to welcome Israeli competitors at its competitions despite calls for athletic sanctions

Following United Nations commission findings that stated Israel has performed mass killing against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that the government denies - there have been growing calls for the nation to be banned from international football tournaments

Context of Conflict

The Israeli military initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in reaction to the Hamas-organized assault on southern regions of the country on October 7th 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were captured

According to reports from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israeli military actions in Gaza since then

Perspective: Corporate Image Considerations

The choice constitutes a significant acknowledgment by the squad and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is creating unease in places such as elite athletics

Adams' involvement in Israel's political affairs is well known, although not officially assigned

The team started largely due to the owner's passion for cycling, and belief that the activity can bring societies more together in parts of the world away from its European heartland

Regardless of several major cycling tour leg victories, the team has experienced the pace hard going at times at the elite level, and is unable to afford to jeopardize sponsors such as Canadian agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

Being a billionaire entrepreneur, Adams recognizes that business image is paramount