Halifax activists are calling on the CBC to cancel its planned livestream of Davis Cup tennis matches in the city between Canada and Israel.
Tennis Canada said earlier this week the games between Canada and Israel will be played in a closed venue without spectators, citing safety concerns flagged by local authorities and security agencies. That decision comes after more than 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, urged Tennis Canada to cancel the tie over Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in the war with Hamas.
Activists from groups including Independent Jewish Voices, Gazan Canadian Families and Palestine Solidarity Halifax told reporters Wednesday they are also planning to protest the matches, scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Asaf Rashid, with the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians—Canada, said that “isolation of Israel, including through sports boycotts, is necessary as both a consequence of its egregious violations of international law and to enforce compliance.”
Palestinian activist Tarek Gazawi said it is wrong to allow these matches to go ahead as violence and starvation continue, and the games should not be livestreamed.
“To CBC … and all other media outlets out there, stop airing this event. Do not be complicit,” he said.
CBC spokesperson Kerry Kelly said in an email that CBC Sports will stream the tournament again this year as part of its commitment to cover Canadian and international sports.
The matches were initially scheduled to be played at Scotiabank Centre, and Tennis Canada officials say fans who purchased tickets will receive a full refund within 30 days.
Earlier this week, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said it was disappointed the event had to be closed to fans.
“Cheering for Team Canada is part of what it means to be Canadian. Yet, a small group of extremists have hijacked the Davis Cup, silencing thousands of fans — many of whom travelled from afar — who simply wanted to show pride in their country,” the CIJA said in a statement.
