Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march along Brunswick Street in front of Scotiabank Centre protesting the Davis Cup tennis matches between Canada and Israel at the downtown arena. Photo by Tim KrochakArticle contentWhile it was quiet inside Scotiabank Centre for the opening matches of the Davis Cup tie on Friday, it was anything but outside the downtown arena as hundreds of demonstrators marched through the streets of Halifax protesting Israel’s participation in the two-day tennis event against Canada.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“There are lots of people unhappy about this,” said Windsor’s Andrew Glencross, holding a sign that read: ‘Don’t let tennis hide a genocide’. “This is not just some fringe extremist group.”Article contentArticle content Demonstrators march on Brunswick Street to voice their displeasure with Israel’s participation in the Davis Cup tennis matches happening inside Scotiabank Centre. – TIM KROCHAKArticle contentOrganized by Palestine Solidarity Halifax, the protestors gathered for a brief rally on the Garrison Grounds. Holding banners and Palestinian flags, beating drums while bellowing chants of Free Palestine, the throng began their long, peaceful march towards Halifax City Hall making stops along the way.Article contentArticle contentMarchers in support of Palestine head down South Park Street in Halifax on Friday afternoon. They were protesting the two-day Davis Cup tennis match between Israel and Canada at Scotiabank Centre. pic.twitter.com/ujBa6GyGI2— Glenn MacDonald (@CH_GMacHerald) September 12, 2025Article contentLeading the parade, which snarled rush hour traffic, were several marchers holding an oversized tennis net with the message, ‘Don’t Play Ball.’ The protestors timed their march so that they would reach Scotiabank Centre at 4 p.m., the start time of the first Davis Cup singles match.Article contentUnder the watchful eye of bicycle-riding police officers, the demonstrators stopped on Brunswick Street to voice their displeasure with the tennis matches happening inside an empty arena.Article content Several marchers hold an oversized tennis net with the message, ‘Don’t Play Ball’ on Brunswick Street. – TIM KROCHAKArticle content“This is a classic example of what they call sports washing, where a state or a corporation tries to make their reputation look better through supporting sports, which are supposedly politically neutral,” Glencross said. “But we know that’s not the case. Sports are always embedded in whatever’s going on politically.Article content“It’s just really inconsistent of Canada, the tennis federation and Halifax to be hosting Israel when there are multiple war crimes going on. Not allowing spectators is not good enough. We want it cancelled. We don’t want to have war criminals here in our city, trying to make their state look good.”Article contentArticle contentThe demonstration continued down the hill and wrapped up with speeches outside city hall.Article content Andrew Glencross of Windsor attends a rally and march in support of Palestine on Friday. – GLENN MacDONALDArticle contentActivists had urged Tennis Canada and the International Tennis Federation to cancel the Davis Cup tie, condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. A letter signed by more than 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, was sent to Tennis Canada last week.Article contentInstead, Tennis Canada announced on Tuesday that two days of matches would be played in a closed venue due to safety concerns.Article contentNoah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, called the protests “shameful.”Article content“This should be a wakeup call for all of us just how the extremism in our streets is impacting Canadian life and it needs to be addressed,” Shack said in a phone interview on Friday.Article content Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. – CANADIAN JEWISH NEWSArticle content“The extremists are making these threats, are harassing people and intimidating folks to the extent that Canadian fans can’t be in the stands to cheer on Team Canada at the Davis Cup. Sport is something that unifies people across cultures, across countries, around the world. It’s such an important unifier that we all look forward to the Olympics and all these types of international sporting competitions. It’s why we enjoy cheering on Team Canada whenever our athletes put on our nation’s flag. It’s a travesty that there are people who are trying, through threats and intimidation, to limit our ability to come together through sport and to cheer on our national team.
Hundreds protest through Halifax streets as Davis Cup tennis opens in empty Scotiabank Centre
