Ron DeSantis Instructs Florida Colleges and Universities to Facilitate the Transfer of Jewish Students From “Antisemitic” Campuses
Jose Nino
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On January 9, 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis instructed universities in the state to facilitate the transfer of out-of-state students allegedly facing antisemitism and other forms of religious harassment to Florida campuses as the Israel-Hamas conflict rages on.
In the wake of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Republican leaders in the United States Congress have made a stink about alleged antisemitic harassment sweeping across universities nationwide. As for the Florida state government, DeSantis’office indicated that there has been a rise in inquiries concerning the transfer of Jewish students.
Curiously, the DeSantis government has not provided any numbers to back these claims. “With leaders of so-called elite universities enabling antisemitic activities, rather than protecting their students from threats and harassment, it is understandable that many Jewish students are looking for alternatives and looking to Florida,” DeSantis declared in a statement.
Quickly after the October 7 attack on Israel, DeSantis and the state board that presides over public universities aimed to boot the Florida chapters connected to the national Students for Justice in Palestine organization. The governor asserted that their manifestations of support for Hamas were tantamount to supporting a terrorist organization. The University of Florida chapter and others filed a lawsuit against the governor in federal court back in November, asserting that they have free speech rights to advocate for Palestinian rights and sound off on the issue.
It’s abundantly clear that the Florida state government is more concerned with serving Jewish interests as opposed to the interests of the Middle Americans. The DeSantis administration is a hardcore pro-Zionist government that engages in some of the most bizarre pro-Israel stunts. This is unbecoming of a state government that should only be crafting policies that actually affect Floridians.
Perhaps DeSantis and co. should just focus on domestic policies and let DC deal with foreign policy concerns.
Better yet, it should get with the America First program and embrace realism and restraint on the global stage.
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