DeSantis Admin: Florida Laws Protect Jewish Residents with “Unique Vigor”
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The DeSantis administration issued a public letter on Friday reminding college presidents they are not permitted to tolerate antisemitism on campus.
“This week on many of our campuses there were pro-Palestinian demonstrations,” State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues wrote. “We are deeply troubled that allegations have been made of anti-Semitic activities at these demonstrations.
“Specifically, it has been alleged that university students called for Israel to be wiped off the map, that these demonstrators stated that killing Jewish babies is legitimate and necessary, and that the killing of Jews was justified.”
FLORIDA’S ANTISEMITISM LAWS
Rodrigues referenced legislation signed by Governor DeSantis aimed at curbing expressions of antisemistim.
In 2019, DeSantis signed HB 741 prohibiting expressions of antisemitism in public K-12 schools, colleges and universities. On April 27, he signed HB 269, which the bill’s sponsor referred to as “the strongest antisemitism bill in the United States.” The governor traveled to Israel to sign both bills into law.
Included in the state’s statutory definition of antisemitism is: “Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews.” However, Florida statute 1000 also clarifies that “criticism of Israel that is similar to criticism toward any other country may not be regarded as antisemitic.”
“These statutes provide the means for acts of anti-Semitism to be immediately investigated, for miscreants to be swiftly punished for unlawful discrimination, and for appropriate actions to be taken to ensure this conduct does not continue,” Rodrigues continued.
Critics and freedom of speech experts have argued that HB 269 is unconstitutional.
“You can’t specifically single out certain groups, religious or not, based on symbols and clothing and say they have a right not to be offended,” First Amendment attorney Barak Lurie told The Florida Standard in April. “The exception is ‘fighting words’ – that is, if someone is directly inciting violent acts against another person.”
Rodrigues couched his nod to the First Amendment by claiming that the state protects its Jewish residents with “unique vigor.”
“These are difficult times, and free speech remains a fundamental American and Florida
Value,” he said. “But Florida laws protect our Jewish residents and visitors with unique vigor.”
EXPELLING STUDENTS PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTS
Rodrigues letter was sent the same day Rep. Randy Fine (R-Brevard) called on DeSantis to enforce Florida’s antisemitism ban and ensure students are expelled for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.
READ MORE: Lawmaker Tells DeSantis to Use Florida’s Antisemitism Laws to Expel Student Protesters
“Any student participating in the rallies of these organizations must be treated like a student screaming the n-word and calling for Black students to be lynched,” Fine wrote. “They would be expelled.”
Fine’s letter came in response to coordinated demonstrations by National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on campuses across America as part of a “Day of Resistance.” At the University of Florida, a Jewish professor called the school’s local SJP event a “teach-in” that was “peaceful.”
In response to the “Day of Resistance,” the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs issued a press release claiming that SJP has ties to terrorist organizations and is a campus front for Hamas.
Rodrigues articulated Fine’s message to the Florida public college and university presidents.
“These laws must be enforced, and our residents protected,” the chancellor said. “Further, we expect that appropriate action will be taken against any student or organization who is found to have violated respective codes of conduct, including expulsion.”