Florida infamously passed the newest abortion regulation in the last state legislative session, where abortions beyond 15 weeks have been banned. Expectedly, the legislation has received unprecedented backlash from the pro-choice lobby, but in an ironic twist, the state is now being sued by a Florida synagogue.
Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor in Boynton Beach, Florida, has claimed in a lawsuit that Florida's 15-week abortion ban violates the religious freedom rights of Jews.
"For Jews, all life is precious and thus the decision to bring new life into the world is not taken lightly or determined by state fiat," read the lawsuit that is now in Leon County Circuit Court.
The synagogue's argument consists of the fact that abortion is required, "in Jewish law," whether that be protecting the life of the mother or other reasons seen fit.
"This failure to maintain the separation of church and state, like so many other laws in other lands throughout history, threatens the Jewish family, and thus also threatens the Jewish people by imposing the laws of other religions upon Jews," the lawsuit said.
This is not the new law's first rodeo with legal challenges. Previously a pro-choice group sued the state on the grounds that the legislation violated Florida's state privacy rights, citing an excerpt from the state's constitution that reads, "Every natural person has the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into the person's private life except as otherwise provided herein."
The lawsuit also puts Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in an awkward position to move forward. DeSantis has been recognized by the nation of Israel for his leadership in Florida and has made combatting anti-semitism a large part of his mission as governor.
As the SCOTUS potentially looks to throw out the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade, the landscape of pro-life legislation filed across the nation will totally be altered. More than several states would instantaneously ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is thrown out due to, "trigger bans."
