Indianapolis JCRC Statement on Congressional Vote Condemning Antisemitism in Higher Education Institutions
November 6, 2023
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is grateful that eight of our Congressmen and Congresswomen from across the state voted in favor of a resolution last week to stand with Indiana’s Jewish community and condemn those who have chosen to glorify violence, target Jewish students and support terrorism. Thank you to Representatives Baird, Banks, Bucshon, Houchin, Mrvan, Pence, Spartz, and Yakym from Indiana for your steadfast support. In the wake of a 400% rise in antisemitism since October 7, we appreciate our elected leaders who have taken a clear and unequivocal stand against those who celebrate and encourage violence against our community.
The JCRC continues to be dismayed by Congressman Carson’s repeated failure to stand up for Jewish Hoosiers. His refusal to vote for a resolution that condemns support for terrorists is reprehensible. There is no room in a civilized society for support of Hamas, Hezbollah or other designated terrorist organizations that actively seek to kill, rape and kidnap civilians. Congressman Carson’s stated justification that a condemnation of those who support terrorists could create an implication that all pro-Palestinian demonstrations are somehow antisemitic is both intellectually dishonest and a dangerous conflation of the views of Hamas with those of Palestinian citizens. Congressman Carson’s opposition to this measure, symbolic though the measure may be, emboldens those the resolution is intended to rebuke. Failure to call out those who support terrorists represents abandonment of Congressman Carson’s Jewish constituents at a time during which they face increasing threats. We once again urge him to change his approach.
