No Stone Left Unturned; No Slander Too Fantastic to Hang on Israel

"[It is] unconscionable [to allow Israeli athletes to participate in the matches in light of the Jewish state’s alleged] ongoing genocide in Palestine [during the Israel-Hamas war. The Canadian government and Tennis Canada must] forbid Canadian athletes to compete against Israeli athletes at the Davis Cup and all other international events." 

"[Canada should follow other nations who] refuse to legitimize Israel’s crimes [by pulling out of international sports competitions in which Israel is participating]."

"Sport is an important space for engendering national sentiment. For this reason, it has, both in the past and today, played an essential role in both promoting national sentiment tied to genocide and in producing national sentiment essential for dismantling apartheid states."

"As such, this is an important moment for Sport Canada and Tennis Canada to promote social justice and stand on the right side of history … sport sanctions against the nation [of Israel] are an essential tool for demonstrating Canada’s ongoing disapproval of Israel’s actions."

Open letter by over 400 signees

 

"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."

International Tennis Federation 

 

"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."

"[We 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."

Tennis Canada response 

More than 100 protesters gathered outside Halifax City Hall to call for the cancellation of the Davis Cup tie between Canada and Israel. (Source: Carl Pomeroy/CTV News Atlantic)

 

A match-up between Israeli and Canadian tennis players is scheduled to be hosted in Halifax on September 12 and 13 as part of the Davis Cup finals. This is the leading team tennis event in the world and the result of the tie, through a series of five matches determines which country will advance to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers.

 

An open letter, with signatures by over 400 academics, activists, athletes and writers argues that sport should no longer be seen as sport in isolation of world events without taking into account international situations of grave concern, and in this instance, Israel's military operations in Gaza. Military operations, as it happens, occasioned by Palestinian terrorist groups flooding from Gaza into southern Israel on October 7 of 2023 on a mission of mass death. 

 

Since the invasion of Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces whose purpose was to destroy the leading terrorist group Hamas, to ensure that their promise of delivering one October 7 after another, following another -- in perpetuity until Israel fails to exist -- will never come to fruition. The Israeli military has had to cope with terrorist groups that unfailingly integrate themselves within the general population so that in striking terrorist operatives, the general civilian population is placed in mortal danger.

 

Nothing stops the terrorist operatives from placing rocket launchers in crowded civilian enclaves, guaranteeing that return fire will result in collateral damage, for the heads of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine have no intention of sparing Palestinian civilians from the military responses by Israel countering the atrocities committed by them in Israel. Numbers of civilians injured or killed in the conflict simply play into the terrorist propaganda of victimhood, aiding their narrative of 'genocide'.

 

Israeli athletes competing in the Davis Cup 2025 Qualifiers Israel vs. Germany. Photo: IMAGO/Paul Zimmer via Reuters Connect

 

The open letter addressed to Sport Canada and Tennis Canada insists that "This is an important moment for Sport Canada and Tennis Canada to promote social justice and stand on the right side of history". In response the International Tennis Federation which organizes the Davis Cup, stated it had no intention of barring Israel from competing. As did Tennis Canada, stating that the match will proceed as planned, emphasizing its role is one of promotion of sport.

 

Journalists and University of British Columbia professors Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis, Alex Neve, (former secretary-general of Amnesty International Canada, now a professor at University of Ottawa), and three former United Nations special rapporteurs were among the 'social justice' luminaries whose signatures adorned the letter. Every one of whom has always been a vividly committed accuser of Israel's very existence. 

 

A "small mob of extremists" is how David Cooper, vice-president of government relations for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs characterized the letter signees, adding that their censure of Israel in accusing the Jewish state of 'apartheid' and 'genocide' place them in no position to determine which nation may or may not compete in a sport dedicated to bringing human endeavours to a high degree of performance while respecting the sportsmanship of all countries whose athletes are capable of qualifying for championship status. 

 

A sign posted on Agricola Street in Halifax calls for officials to cancel the Davis Cup match between Team Canada and Israel that's scheduled for Sept. 12 and 13 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Credit: Rob Roberts)