Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has declined to say whether he would back former President Donald Trump if he becomes the Republican presidential nominee.
INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today vetoed HEA 1002, a bill that sought to address and define antisemitism in Indiana.
He released a statement and a signed proclamation following his veto.
“While I applaud the General Assembly’s effort to address and define antisemitism, I cannot agree with the outcome therefore I vetoed HEA 1002. The language that emerged in the final days of the legislative session fails to incorporate the entire International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition and its important contemporary examples. Additionally, the confusing language included in the bill could be read to exclude those examples therefore I must veto HEA 1002. However, I also refuse to leave a void as to Indiana’s stance on antisemitism. That is why I am happy to share I have also signed a proclamation reiterating that Indiana condemns all forms of antisemitism and ensures we join numerous states and countries by supporting the entire IHRA definition with its inextricable examples.”
In the final hours of the legislative session, state lawmakers struck a compromise to include in the core International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism within the bill. Excluded was the IHRA working definition’s 11 contentious “contemporary examples” of antisemitism, which include references to Israel.
Holcomb noted that people “far and wide” — including from outside the state — have contacted him with concerns.
Members of the Hoosier Jewish community said the examples need to be codified, but critics maintained they’re overly broad and limit free speech.
