Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has released his Florida Israel rescue operation plan. Detailing the measures that Governor DeSantis has taken to stand by Israel against its ongoing war with Hamas, the plan also reaffirms DeSantis’ support for Israel.
“Florida’s Israel Rescue Operation has completed four rescue flights bringing nearly 700 Americans home from Israel,” the Governor captions, sharing an infographic on social media that details the plan.
Aside from noting that 700 Americans have been flown from Israel to Florida and that 85 pallets of donated supplies have arrived in Israel, the rescue plan also includes protecting Jewish communities and sanctioning Iran.
In protecting Jewish communities, DeSantis touts that over 100 FHP troopers and FDLE agents have been deployed to protect Florida synagogues, Jewish schools, and communities that have large Jewish populations. As well, the Governor has coordinated with local law enforcement to make sure that Jewish communities are protected throughout the state.
DeSantis has also sanctioned Iran, citing legislative proposal announced to strengthen sanctions on Iran to ensure Florida does not do business with companies that are aligned with Iran and that could end up funding Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Similarly, DeSantis has for a “special session of the Florida legislature called to address the Governor’s Iran sanctions-related proposal and provide additional protections for Jewish communities.”
DeSantis has received the brunt of criticism over his effort to disband Florida chapters of the Students for Justice in Palestine at 2 universities.
Howard Simon, Students for Justice in Palestine’s interim executive director, issued a statement, pushing back against effort.
“Instead of keeping students and the Jewish community safe, the government is simply silencing ideas it doesn’t like,” Simon said.
Since Hamas attacked Israel, DeSantis has been a strong supporter of Israel, and as president, DeSantis argued that protecting Israel is a key point of his platform.
