Palestinian solidarity groups in Halifax are demanding the cancellation of next month’s Davis Cup match between Canada and Israel, arguing that Israel’s actions in Gaza are incompatible with hosting its athletes on Canadian soil.
“Going forward with this event normalizes Israel’s ongoing campaign of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,” says Em Bailey, founding member of Palestine Solidarity Halifax. “Team Israel and the Davis Cup are not welcome in Kjipuktuk, Halifax.”
To drive the message home, the group and other organizations have put up posters across the city, hoping that Haligonians will come forward with their support, join the protest and add their names to the open letter.
“In no reality should we be welcoming Israeli athletes for a tennis match, while Israel continues to bomb Gaza with impunity, killing Palestinians and obstructing the provision of lifesaving aid,” Bailey said.
Kristi Allain, Canada Research Chair in Physical Culture and Social Life and professor of sociology at St. Thomas University, said the support for the letter reflects widespread concern across the Canadian academic and sporting communities.
“We are scholars, athletes, and journalists who believe that sport is never separate from politics,” Allain said. “By proceeding with this match, Canada is signalling that it is willing to turn a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinians in order to preserve the appearance of neutrality in sport.”
She added that more than 780 organizations and individuals have signed an open letter calling on the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Tennis Canada and other organizers to cancel the event — including Labour for Palestine Halifax/Kjipuktuk, Nova Scotia Student Strike, Independent Jewish Voices Halifax, the Canadian BDS Coalition, and International BDS Allies. The match is set for Sept. 12 and 13 at the Scotiabank Centre.
Allain said that the letter includes signatories such as three United Nations special rapporteurs, University of British Columbia professors Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis, former Amnesty International Canada head Alex Neve, and over 100 individuals based in Atlantic Canada.
Among the signatories are also two Palestinian women’s national soccer players now studying at York University, and Hernan Humana, a former Olympic beach volleyball coach and current professor at the same institution.
Allain, like those who have signed the letter, is urging national sport bodies to bar Canadians from competing against Israelis in any international event. The letter cites historical examples where sport has both legitimized and challenged state narratives and emphasizes that this moment calls for leadership. They hope that this letter and their activism can help bring a change.
“This is an important moment for Sport Canada and Tennis Canada to promote social justice and stand on the right side of history,” the open letter reads.
Tennis Canada has confirmed the match will proceed under the Davis Cup’s standard best-of-five format, with singles on the first day and doubles plus reverse singles on the second. The winner will move on to the 2026 qualifiers.
Tennis Canada responded to the controversy in a public statement, saying: “Tennis Canada acknowledges the ongoing and deeply complex situation in the Middle East. As a national sports organization, our mission is to promote the sport of tennis and create opportunities for players and fans to engage with the game in a spirit of respect and inclusivity. Our focus remains on ensuring a safe, fair, and professional competition for all athletes, staff, volunteers, and spectators.”
They added that they will “work closely with ITF and 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.”
The International Tennis Federation, which oversees the global competition, echoed this position.
“We recognize this is a highly complex situation that goes far beyond sport. However, Israel has not been excluded from international sporting events, and it has not 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. We will continue to work closely with Tennis Canada in relation to this event,” the ITF said in a statement.
In the open letter, activists point to athletes who have refused to face Israeli opponents in recent months, including Jordanian tennis player Abdullah Shelbayh’s decision to withdraw from a tournament in Greece. They argue Canada should follow countries that have boycotted Israel in international competition.
Recent examples include Jordan refusing to play against Israel at the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup in Switzerland, and Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics to avoid facing an Israeli opponent. Both cases reflect a broader pattern of political protest through sport, which activists say Canada should consider.
Bailey hopes to continue to encourage the public to pressure elected officials and event organizers, “cancel the match, it is a test of political and moral integrity.”
Canada will play Israel in the Davis Cup, on Sept. 12–13, 2025, at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre.
This article appears in Aug 1-31, 2025.
Free the hostages…