Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday allowing lawmakers to make security funding for private Jewish schools a recurring part of the state budget.
HB 1109, which passed during the March legislative session, will direct the Florida Department of Education to develop a program to provide money to Jewish day schools and preschools for enhancements such as security cameras, fencing, shatter-resistant glass, perimeter lighting, and hiring security employees, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Sarasota Republican Joe Gruters, the measure’s sponsor in the Senate, noted this past session that there has been a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Since the attack, anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. surged 360%, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
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“This is something both chambers unanimously supported as recently as the Special Session in November,” Gruters said, referencing a $25 million earmark approved to pay for increased safeguards at 134 Jewish day schools in the state.
Gruters also said Jewish day school enrollment has doubled over the past five years, requiring a more reliable funding source.
The bill does not specify an amount for the program but the budget for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year includes $20 million for security efforts in schools. The budget and bill will take effect on July 1.
DeSantis Signs Bill to Define Anti-Semitism in Florida Law
DeSantis also signed HB 187 which will establish a definition of anti-Semitism in state law, according to Florida Politics. The legislation recommends that anti-Semitism be defined as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” and manifestations of such hatred “directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals, their property, community institutions, and religious facilities.” The definition was adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2016.
The measure includes 11 examples of anti-Semitism, including “dehumanizing” stereotypes that Jews control industries and government, “demonizing” symbols and images associated with anti-Semitism such as blood libel, Holocaust denial, and double standards when criticizing Israel. It also states that the measure “may not be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment or to conflict with federal or state antidiscrimination laws.”
“By adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, we are sending a powerful message that discrimination against Jewish individuals will not be tolerated in our state,” said Boynton Beach Democratic Senator Lori Berman, co-sponsor of the bill. “We are taking a proactive stance to ensure that Florida remains a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.”
