Indiana lawmakers have successfully reached a compromise to pass a bill defining antisemitism in the state's education code. The bill, aimed at addressing antisemitism on college campuses, faced challenges during the legislative session but was ultimately approved by both the House and Senate chambers.
The legislation, known as House Bill 1002, was initially introduced by House Republicans two months ago as one of their top priorities for the session. It seeks to broadly define antisemitism as a form of religious discrimination to ensure educational opportunities free from such bias.
This bill, which uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, includes contemporary examples of antisemitism provided by the IHRA, some of which reference Israel. However, the Senate passed an amended version that removed specific references to Israel, sparking debate among lawmakers and stakeholders.
After going through a conference committee, a compromise was reached to add the IHRA name back to the bill while omitting the examples that mention Israel. The final version of the bill was approved with bipartisan support and now awaits review by Governor Eric Holcomb.
Various organizations, including the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council and the Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network, have expressed their support for the bill in its current form. While some believe it is a strong statement against antisemitism, others feel that the bill could have been clearer in its language.
The push to define antisemitism in state legislation has gained momentum in light of recent events, including the Israel-Hamas conflict. Similar measures have been signed into law in other states, with ongoing efforts in Florida awaiting gubernatorial review.
Overall, the passage of this bill in Indiana reflects a collaborative effort to address antisemitism while balancing concerns related to free speech and advocacy on college campuses.
