Ontario Camps Association Takes Strong Stand Against Anti-Israel Campaign
The Ontario Camps Association has issued a forceful response to what it describes as a coordinated campaign targeting Jewish summer camps throughout Canada. In a statement released on Friday, the OCA board of directors declared it will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, antisemitism or discrimination directed at its organization, executive director, employees, or member camps.
Campaign Seeks to Revoke Camp Accreditation
The anti-Zionist campaign, led by Just Peace Advocates with support from multiple organizations including the Palestinian Canadian Congress and Canadian BDS Coalition, is calling for provincial camp associations in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia to revoke accreditation from Jewish camps that allegedly support Israel. Campaign organizers have compiled a list of 17 Jewish-Canadian camps across multiple provinces that they claim support the State of Israel in some way, whether through promoting appreciation of Israel, supporting the nation's military, or employing former IDF members.
OCA Rejects Stereotypes and Libels
The OCA board specifically addressed what it called stereotyped libels and tropes being used against Jewish camps and individuals. The board statement noted that accusations against executive director Joy Levy, staff, and member camps draw directly on stereotyped libels and tropes related to Israel, Zionism and Jewish people, including loaded terms like genocide and colonizers that are often spread with malicious intent.
The association expressed complete faith in Levy and her staff while emphasizing that its role is not to evaluate member camps based on their religious or cultural identity. However, the OCA remains unwavering in its vigilance against antisemitism and hate in all forms.
Safety and Protection for All Camp Participants
Camps must be places where children, staff, volunteers, and families feel safe, respected, and protected. That includes our Jewish community, without exception, the board wrote. The OCA characterized such campaigns as part of a broader, coordinated effort to harm Jewish children and communities while weakening the credibility of Jewish camp leaders and Canadian Jewish life in general.
Campaign Claims and Security Response
Campaign organizers claim that Jewish summer camps pose a problem because they encourage support for a genocidal, settler-colonial State rather than simply encouraging connection to Jewish identity. They specifically highlight camps that proudly and publicly share their staff connections to the Israeli military and are urging people to contact provincial camp associations to demand accreditation revocation.
In response to the campaign, the UJA Federation of Toronto has confirmed that the Jewish Security Network is monitoring the situation and coordinating with local police. The organization stated that JSN is conducting ongoing risk assessments and providing structured security guidance, training, and support to ensure summer camps remain safe and secure for all participants.
Broader Implications for Canadian Jewish Life
The OCA board warned that such campaigns represent an attempt to impose a discriminatory test of which Jews are deemed acceptable in Canadian society. The association thanked supporters for their solidarity while reaffirming its commitment to protecting all camp participants from discrimination and hate.
National Post has reached out to provincial camp organizations in Quebec and Nova Scotia for comment on the campaign's demands. The situation continues to develop as camp associations balance accreditation standards with protection against discrimination.
