INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, MARCH 2024
The Jewish American Affairs Committee of Indiana is opposed to HEA 1002 as passed by the Indiana General Assembly. In drafting the original legislation our purpose was to protect Jewish students from virulent antisemitism in our educational institutions in the guise of relentless and vicious attacks on Israel. We appreciate the efforts of legislators supporting the original HB 1002. Incorporating the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into HB 1002 made clear the nexus between antisemitism and the examples of anti-Israel activity prevalent in schools and university campuses. Unfortunately, a last minute change in the legislation undermined the original intention of HB 1002 making the reference to IHRA meaningless. The legislation as it stands does nothing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism posing as anti-Israel rhetoric and action.
JAACI urges Governor Holcomb to veto this legislation and instead issue an Executive Order adopting the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.