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Throughout last month's Spanish cycling tour, the squad experienced multiple interruptions as pro-Palestinian protesters staged actions against the Israeli war in Gaza

Squad officials characterized the past few months as "an incredibly challenging period" but recognized "the necessity for change"

"Having steadfast commitment to our cyclists, team members, and valued sponsors, the decision has been made to rename and re-brand the squad, moving away from its current Israeli identity"

"Within sports, advancement often requires sacrifice, and this measure is essential to ensuring the future of the organization"

Squad Background and Structure

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

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

Recent Events and Protests

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, multiple protests and disruptions took place, primarily targeting the participation of the cycling team

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

The last stage of the tour around the Spanish capital was called off following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with cyclists and blocked the course in multiple places

Recent Developments

As part of the restructuring, team owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his day-to-day responsibilities and will no longer act on the squad's behalf

This sixty-six-year-old businessman has been strongly linked with the Israeli administration and has previously referred to himself as a "unofficial representative to Israel"

Global Reaction

World professional cycling regulatory organization the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israeli competitors at its events despite calls for athletic boycotts

After United Nations investigation conclusions that stated the nation has committed genocide against Palestinian people in the territory - a claim that the government rejects - there have been increasing calls for the nation to be suspended from international soccer competition

Context of Hostilities

Israeli defense forces initiated a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-organized attack on southern regions of Israel on October 7th 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-run health department, at least 67,139 individuals have been fatally injured in Israel's attacks in Gaza since that time

Perspective: Corporate Branding Considerations

The choice constitutes a major acknowledgment by the team and its proprietor Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Brand Israel is causing discomfort in places such as professional sport

The owner's engagement in Israel's political affairs is well known, though not officially designated

This squad began largely due to Adams' passion for professional cycling, and belief that the sport can bring societies closer united in parts of the world distant from its European traditional base

Regardless of several Grand Tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level challenging going at times at the top tier, and cannot risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian pesticide specialists Premier Tech

As a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that business brand reputation is everything