The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on Indiana lawmakers to uphold the principle of free speech by rejecting the controversial and widely disputed International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which conflates criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.
A bill introduced in that state’s legislature would change the definition of antisemitism to that of the IHRA.
SEE: Lawmakers Advance Bill Shoring Up Definition of Antisemitism in Indiana
The original drafter of the IHRA definition called it a “working definition” and testified to Congress that if government bodies “enshrine this definition into law, outside groups will try and suppress – rather than answer – political speech they don’t like. The academy, Jewish students, and faculty teaching about Jewish issues, will all suffer.”
CAIR chapters in a number of other states, including Kansas, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and Georgia, have challenged similar anti-free speech legislation.
SEE: International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance muzzles critics of Israel
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“Antisemitism is an unacceptable form of hatred that all Americans should vocally oppose. At the same time, it is unacceptable to use false allegations of antisemitism to silence to Americans who criticize the Israeli government or express support for Palestinian human rights.
“As we witness the ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israel’s far-right government and the spread of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hysteria here at home, state legislatures must ensure they protect the constitutional guarantee of free speech so that the people of Indiana can freely advocate for justice here and abroad.
“We urge Indiana lawmakers reject this attempt to limit criticism of a foreign nation’s human rights abuses and focus on addressing the real threat posed by antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and other forms of bigotry.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Distribution of Antisemitic, White Supremacist Material in N. Virginia
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CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com