Braun orders review of antisemitism on university campuses, as Trump targets protesters

Governor's executive order comes on heels of push by Trump administration to target protest on campuses. Plus, where you can find meteorologist Chad Evans these days – on a new Substack.

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BRAUN ORDERS REVIEW OF ANTISEMITISM ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, AFTER A SEASON OF DEMONSTRATIONS OVER GAZA

Gov. Mike Braun on Friday ordered the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to investigate acts of antisemitism on university campuses and how the schools dealt with those since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel that set off war in Gaza.

The executive order follows in the footsteps of recent warnings – including one set directly to Indiana University – from the U.S. Department of Education about potential Civil Rights Act violations when it comes to protecting Jewish students on campus. Braun’s release on the executive order says executive order “comes as the Trump administration is also standing up for Jewish students.”

(Photo: Dave Bangert)

“A wave of antisemitism across the country began over a year ago with the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel, with universities often at the epicenter of these incidents,” Braun said in a release announcing the executive order Friday morning. “With this executive order, we are making it clear that Indiana will not tolerate antisemitic discrimination at our state institutions or anywhere else — Jewish Hoosiers should know the state of Indiana condemns antisemitism and stands with them.”

The executive order calls for a review of university policies by Sept. 30, with a written report by Nov. 30. Braun also ordered a follow-up review in 2026.

“While many of Indiana’s colleges and universities quickly condemned antisemitic speech and actions, and fostered constructive discourse concerning the terrorist attacks, some radical organizations and individuals continued to engage in antisemitic actions on college and university campuses,” the executive order read.

The order was based on a definition of antisemitism adopted in 2016 by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The governor’s office did not cite specific cases he was concerned with on Indiana campuses.

And his office did not directly answer questions Friday about whether rallies on campuses calling for ceasefire in the war or were pro-Palestinian amounted to antisemitism by the executive order’s standard.