Florida Lawmakers Defends Israel’s Right to Self-Defense, Introduce Anti-Semitism Legislation

Tallahassee, Fl- Palm Beach Legislators Senator Lori Berman (D) and Representative Katherine Waldron (D) have introduced a joint bipartisan resolution to condemn Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

The resolution reaffirms “solidarity with the State of Israel” and underscores Florida’s support for “Israel's right to defend itself” from the recent “unprovoked attack by Hamas.” 

Representative Waldron filed the House version of the bill along with fellow Democrat legislators. Senator Berman similarly introduced the legislation in the Senate, also gaining Republican support. 

“Today I filed HB125, a resolution condemning the Hamas attack on Israel. I join State Senate colleague, Lori Berman, who filed a similar bill in the senate, in solid support of Israel,” said Waldron. 

 

Berman also drafted a separate bill which would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. 

The act would characterize statements such as denying the Holocaust or denying Jews’ right to self-determination, such as claiming the state of Israel’s existence is a racist endeavor, as anti-Semetic. 

Last April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into  law a measure that broadened the scope of illegal anti-Semitic acts, like harassing, threatening, or intimidating another person for wearing any ethnic or religious Jewish garments.

“Through this legislation, we are ensuring that perpetrators who commit acts of antisemitism and target religious groups or individuals will be punished,” said Governor DeSantis. 

According to a report by Brandeis University, Florida is home to over half a million Jews, the majority of which live in the Southeast Counties of the state. Florida’s Jewish population comprises the third largest Jewish electorate nationally.