Halifax activists are asking the CBC to cancel their planned live transmission of the Davis Cup tennis matches in the city between Canada and Israel.
Tennis Canada said at the beginning of this week the games between Canada and Israel will be played in a closed place without spectators, citing security concerns marked by local authorities and security agencies. That decision occurs after more than 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including the Moh Ahmed Olympic corridor, urged Canada to cancel the link for Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in the War with Hamas.
Group activists, including independent Jewish voices, Canadian families of Gazan and Palestine solidarity, Halifax, told journalists on Wednesday that they also plan to protest the matches, scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Asaf Rashid, with the International Justice Center for the Palestinians, Canada, said that “Israel’s isolation, even through sports boycots, is necessary as a consequence of its atrocious violations of international law and to enforce compliance.”
Palestinian activist Tarek Gazawi said it is wrong to allow these games to continue as violence and hunger continue, and games should not be transmitters.
“For CBC … and all other media, stop transmitting this event. Don’t be complicit,” he said.
CBC spokesman Kerry Kelly said in an email that CBC Sports will transmit the tournament again this year as part of its commitment to cover Canadian and international sports.
Initially, the matches were played at the Scotiabank center, and Canada’s tennis officials say that fans who bought tickets will receive a complete refund within 30 days.
Earlier this week, the Israel and Jewish Affairs Center said it was disappointed that the event had to be closed for fans.
“To encourage the Canada team is part of what it means to be Canadian. However, a small group of extremists has kidnapped the Davis Cup, silencing thousands of fans, many of whom traveled from afar, who simply wanted to show pride in their country,” said the city in a statement.
