"It was a surreal scene in Halifax on Friday as Canada kicked off its Davis Cup tennis tie against Israel behind closed doors at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Save for athletes and staff of the two teams and the necessary officials, who were either on the court or courtside, the venue that normally holds over 10,500 spectators was completely empty."
"Meanwhile, about 400 protesters gathered for a brief rally beside Citadel Hill National Historic site, where organizer Em Bailey said almost 1,000 people had signed a petition opposing Israel's participation in the games. Under bright sunshine, many of the demonstrators were carrying placards and Palestinian flags while chanting slogans and beating drums amid snarled traffic and police officers on bicycles. One man wrapped in a Palestinian flag waved a tennis racket that held a piece of paper with "No Sportswashing Israel" written on it."
Canada opened its Davis Cup tie against Israel in Halifax with matches held behind closed doors at Scotiabank Centre, leaving the normally 10,500-seat venue completely empty except for athletes, team staff and officials. CBC's live stream carried no commentary, making on-court sounds unnaturally clear. Tennis Canada cited safety concerns flagged by local authorities and security agencies in ordering no spectators or media. About 400 protesters held a brief rally by Citadel Hill, with organizer Em Bailey saying nearly 1,000 people had signed a petition opposing Israel's participation. Demonstrators marched peacefully through downtown carrying Palestinian flags, placards and banners and briefly stopped outside the arena. Montreal's Gabriel Diallo beat Israel's Daniel Cukierman 6-1, 6-2 to open the tie.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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