Mike Pence denounces alleged arson of Israeli flag in his Indiana hometown

JTA – Former US Vice-President Mike Pence has weighed in against antisemitism after officials in his Indiana town say a costly fire may have been caused by arson to an Israeli flag displayed on a local barn. 

The alleged arson broke out early on Friday, damaging a historic home in Zionsville, Indiana, where Pence lives, and causing an estimated $150 000 (R2.4 million) in damages, according to the Zionsville Police Department. 

Zionsville Mayor John Stehr said during a press conference on Friday that officials believed the blaze began when an individual set fire to an Israeli flag that had been displayed outside the building alongside an American flag. The town later announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had joined the investigation and that officials were examining whether the arson “may have been motivated by bias” but said no determination had been made. 

“Absolutely despicable,” Pence tweeted on Sunday. “There can be no tolerance in America for antisemitism or political acts of violence, and it is heartbreaking to see in our adopted hometown of Zionsville, Indiana. We thank G-d no one was hurt and urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement.” 

Pence has long cast himself as a staunch supporter of Israel, including after 7 October, and has repeatedly spoken out against antisemitism in the conservative movement and beyond. 

Republican Indiana Senator Jim Banks also condemned the alleged arson in a post on X on Saturday. “Antisemitism will not be tolerated. Not in Zionsville. Not in Indiana. Not anywhere,” Banks wrote. “Thank you to the federal, state, and local officials working to bring the perpetrators of this despicable arson attack to justice.” 

On Sunday, the Jewish community in central Indiana hosted a rally condemning the alleged arson attack, chanting, “We will stand up”, according to local news outlet Fox 59. While Zionsville does not have a large Jewish community of its own, other suburbs of Indianapolis have significant Jewish populations, and Zionsville is also the longtime home of a Reform movement summer camp, the Goldman Union Camp Institute, which is in session now. 

“The founding fathers founded a country where we have the ability to resolve differences among each other; we don’t do it by firebombing homes,” rally organiser David Schiller told Fox 59. “It’s inexcusable and unacceptable.” 

The Zionsville Police Department did not respond to an inquiry from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about the status of the investigation on Monday.