Florida lawmakers approve bill to define antisemitism

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday defining the term “antisemitism” with a stipulation that it would not include criticism of Israel that is similar to criticism of any other country.

The bill will now head to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for signature.

Reps. Mike Gottlieb, D-Davie, and Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay originally filed HB 187.

Speaking on the House floor, Gottlieb provided an additional amendment to the legislation reinforcing free speech rights under the First Amendment.

The House passed the amended bill unanimously 115-0.

A Senate version of the bill, which includes the amendment, passed 40-0. The legislation was originally sponsored by Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach. HB 187 originally passed in the House 113-3 before the changes.

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

Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami, praised Gottlieb for polishing the bill’s language.

“This is a bill that most of us had voted for in years before. But with this language that he just identified that was in the amendment, that was not in this version of the bill,” Joseph said. “Because those two important provisions, especially with everything going on in the world today, were important.”

Joseph also affirmed language left out of the bill was not intentional.

“Now we have a better product that now protects people as they’re continuing to engage in their First Amendment rights. It does not equate criticism of the State of Israel with antisemitism in this day and age,” Joseph added.

HB 187 came in response to antisemitism and other matters following the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel.

Fine, referencing current and past legislation on antisemitism, repeated being “tired” of having to speak on the issue.

“We did that five years ago, but we live in a world where for 145 days people have been held hostage in a place far away, and the outrage isn’t as loud as one would expect,” Fine said. “More people seem to say put down your weapons then say release those folks.”

Fine further emphasized that bills against antisemitism mean “nothing if they are not implemented and enforced.”

“If all these are papers with signatures on them, we have wasted our time,” Fine said. “It will not matter if we don’t demand that we act on these laws as we pass them.”

If signed by DeSantis, HB 187 will take effect July 1.