Submitted
Editor’s note: The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council released the following statement approving of Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto of House Enrolled Act 1002, which attempted to define “antisemitism.”
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) thanks Governor Eric Holcomb for his careful reading of the final version of House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1002, and his thoughtful attention to, and consideration of, the concerns raised in recent days by national experts and the Attorney General that compelled him to veto the enrolled act and issue a proclamation.
We appreciate that his proclamation clarifies these concerns and affirms that Indiana endorses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism including the reference to the specifically identified examples of contemporary antisemitism.
JCRC remains grateful to the Indiana General Assembly for overwhelmingly passing HEA 1002 and standing with the Indiana Jewish community as it works to confront increasing antisemitism.
We remain committed to working with HEA 1002 author Representative Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) and Senate sponsor Senator Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) and thank them for their tireless work. We would also like to thank Speaker of the House Todd Huston (R-Fishers) for making HEA 1002 a House Republican priority bill.
JCRC will work diligently with members of the Indiana General Assembly, executive agencies, statewide educational institutions, and statewide educational organizations to ensure that the guidance of Governor Holcomb’s proclamation is correctly applied to identify and confront antisemitism and meet the needs of Jewish students in K-12 and higher educational settings.
About the JCRC
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council is the public affairs, interfaith, and intergroup relations arm of the organized Jewish community. JCRC builds consensus on public affairs issues, and advocates on behalf of the Indiana Jewish community by building relationships and partnerships with civic leaders, public officials, and other faith and ethnic communities.