Antisemitism bill approved by Florida Senate, heads back to House following changes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation defining the term “antisemitism” is headed back to the House for approval, following its passage with an amendment in the Senate.

The Senate version was filed by Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach. HB 187 was sponsored by Reps. Mike Gottlieb, D-Davie, and Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay.

A bipartisan group of over 30 other representatives cosponsored the bill. It passed 113-3 in the House and 40-0 in the Senate.

The legislation adopts the definition of “antisemitism” as described by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

That being, “a certain perception of Jewish individuals which may be expressed as hatred toward such individuals. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and their property and toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

“Members, I don’t need to tell you about the exponential rise of antisemitism,” Berman said. “You have seen it in our neighborhoods, in our state, in our country and even in the world.”

“So yes, we do need to address this scourge and we need to do so through multiple methods,” she said. “Combatting antisemitism requires cooperation among experts, governments and civil society.”

Berman added an amendment when the chamber was taking up the House version in order to align with the Senate bill.

The amendment explains in the definitions of antisemitism that the term does not include criticism of Israel that is similar to criticism of any other country.

The legislature took action in response to antisemitism and other matters, following the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.

The state convened in a special session to condemn the attack, express “unwavering” support to the state of Israel, and sanction Iran for reportedly aiding Hamas in the past.