Florida Senate passes anti-Semitism bill

JTA – The Florida Senate unanimously passed an anti-Semitism bill.

Prior to the discussion and vote April 29, the senators held a moment of silence for the victims of the Poway shooting.

Using the State Department definition as its template, the legislation defines as anti-Semitism calls for violence against Jews, advancing conspiracy theories about Jewish control and Holocaust denial. The measure mandates that discrimination against Jewish people be treated the same as acts of racial discrimination in Florida’s public education institutions.

The bill moves on to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature. It had been passed unanimously three weeks ago by the state House of Representatives. 

DeSantis will travel to Israel next month, his first international trip, that will include a Florida Cabinet meeting at the U.S. Embassy.