Anti-Semitism bill to be signed in Israel, DeSantis says

Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated Thursday that he plans to sign a bill to combat anti-Semitism while on a trip to Israel this month.

DeSantis referred to the issue during an appearance in Miami Gardens, saying “we have an anti-Semitism bill, which is one of the strongest in the nation, that I’ll sign into law, actually I think I will sign it into law when we’re in Jerusalem doing a Cabinet meeting.”

Lawmakers last month approved a measure (HB 741) that would require public schools, colleges and universities to treat anti-Semitism the same way they treat racism. The bill has an extensive definition of anti-Semitism that includes “accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interest of their own nations.”

Under the bill, the state’s education system would add religion as a protected class with regard to discrimination against students and employees.

Currently, people are protected from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, marital status or disability. DeSantis will lead a trip to Israel from May 25 to May 31.

The trip is planned to include a first-ever Florida Cabinet meeting in Israel. The sponsor of the bill combating anti-Semitism, Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, said he will take part in the trip.