More than 200 people filled the streets of downtown Halifax on Friday afternoon to protest the Davis Cup tennis match between Canada and Israel.
Several activist groups organized a march that started at the Garrison Grounds around 3 p.m., traveled toward the Lord Nelson hotel, where they said members of the Israel team were staying.
Then they moved toward the Scotiabank Centre, where the match started at 4 p.m., and down the hill to the Grand Parade park outside City Hall.
Tennis Canada closed the match to the public ahead of any potential protesting, and once people were not allowed in, the city pulled $50,000 in funding.
Najlaa Alzaanin came to Canada in 2019 as a university student, but she hasn’t been able to get her parents here from Gaza.
She said it hurts to see people from Israel, who she said is committing genocide against her family and other Palestinians, in Halifax, when she can’t get her own family here.
Protesters march down Sackville Street on Sept. 12, 2025. (Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting)
Alzaanin said that even on Friday, people were ordered to evacuate Gaza city, but they do not know where to go.
“There is no safe place left in Gaza, and they are trying to flee for their life. So it’s overwhelming. It’s devastating. It’s killing me, actually, to see this happening in Canada, while I’m here as a citizen, working, giving back to the community,” said Alzaanin.
She tried to apply to bring her family here in May, but “Canada is doing nothing to bring them,” she said.
Two weeks ago her brother was injured, and his in-law was killed while they were sheltering in a school, she said. Her mother is also going through a log of medical complications because she is 62 and a diabetic, with no access to clean water or medication.
“Her situation is getting worse day by day,” said Alzaanin. “I’m watching my family, like, dying there.”
Alzaanin has a GoFundMe set up to help bring her family here. It also describes their situation in more detail.
Protesters approach the Scotiabank Centre on Brunswick Street, where the Canada vs Israel match was being held as part of the Davis Cup. (Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting)
Em Bailey spoke at the Garrison Grounds ahead of the march. She said they want to send a message to city council. Although they withdrew funding, they initially supported the match. They also want the Davis Cup to cancel the game, and for Tennis Canada to start treating Israel like they treat Russia and Belarus.
Russia and Belarus were banned from the Davis Cup because of their war on Ukraine.
“We just want to see the same standard recognized by the impact of these war crimes that are being done by Russia. The war crimes that are being done by Israel, need to be treated equally, and we want to see Israel banned from the Davis Cup and all sporting events going forward,” said Bailey.
Another march is planned for Saturday at noon, coinciding with the tennis matches again.
