Protesters call for Halifax to cancel Davis Cup tennis match with Israel

More than 100 protesters gathered outside Halifax City Hall to call for the Davis Cup to be cancelled due to Israel’s role in the Gaza war.

More than 100 protesters gathered outside Halifax City Hall Tuesday to call for the cancellation of the upcoming Davis Cup tie between Canada and Israel, citing the latter country’s ongoing actions in Gaza as the primary reason.

Tennis Canada is set to host Israel in a tennis match at the Scotiabank Centre on Sept. 12 and 13.

El Jones, a community organizer at the protest on Tuesday, said they are objecting to Israel’s participation in the Davis Cup.

“Israel is currently committing genocide,” Jones said. “We strongly oppose Halifax supporting this match at this time.”

The match has garnered national attention with more than 400 people – including UN Special Rapporteurs, Palestinian women’s national soccer players and four-time Olympian Moh Ahmed – signing a letter calling on Team Canada to cancel it.

In a written statement, the International Tennis Federation said Israel has not been excluded from international sporting events, nor has it been suspended by the International Olympic Committee.

“Across tennis, careful consideration is given to the participation of teams and players representing every nation, and the safety of all players, tournament staff and supporters is always paramount at every event,” the statement reads. We will continue to work closely with Tennis Canada in relation to this event."

In a separate statement, Tennis Canada said it acknowledges the “ongoing and deeply complex situation in the Middle East,” but noted it will host Israel in Halifax next month.

“Our focus remains on ensuring a safe, fair, and professional competition for all athletes, staff, volunteers and spectators,” the statement reads. “We will continue to work closely with the ITF and relevant authorities to ensure this event is conducted in accordance with international sporting standards and with the well-being of all participants as our top priority.”

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to put a sports competition hostage to any political idea,” said Naomi Levin, president of the Atlantic Jewish Council. “If it were, there would be many wars around the world, and if we had every country sending representatives to come and say this country shouldn’t be represented, we wouldn’t have any sportsmanship”

-With files from The Canadian Press

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