Agudath Israel of Florida praised bipartisan legislation that would combat the significant increase in antisemitic incidents occurring across the state.
HB 269, introduced by State Representative Mike Caruso, would expand the definition of hate crimes and increase the legal penalties if convicted.
The expanded definition includes the distribution of hate flyers, stalking, vandalizing graves and certain buildings, and projecting images on someone else’s property — if the act contains ethnic or religious prejudice.
The measure was crafted in response to antisemitic messages, including swastikas, placed onto buildings in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, along with multiple instances of antisemitic literature distributed to Florida residents.
In early February, antisemitic messages were found at the University of Florida (UF) supporting disgraced rapper Kanye West.
A week earlier, antisemitic flyers were discovered on vehicles in the parking lot of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) headquarters.
In mid-January, Orlando police opened an investigation after a local high school was vandalized with Nazi symbols and white power graffiti.
Several days earlier, a golf course in Martin County, Florida was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.
“The state of Florida is taking the threat of rising antisemitism seriously,” Agudath Israel of Florida Executive Director Rabbi Moshe Matz said. “The recent public displays of antisemitism and distribution of antisemitic materials is deeply concerning to our community. We are heartened to see that Florida is taking action to respond. We are grateful to Governor Ron DeSantis who continues to provide strong support to the Jewish community in Florida, and to Representative Mike Caruso whose proposed legislation shows zero tolerance for antisemitism.”