Posted on 11/06/23
| News Source: FOX45
Monday morning, Florida lawmakers will be in Tallahassee to begin the final special session of the year.
It's expected to last three days and cover topics like hurricane relief aid, school vouchers and the war in Israel. Part of that includes topics like expressing Florida’s support of Israel, condemning attacks by Hamas, and setting aside funds for Jewish school security.
Ever since the October 7th terror attacks by Hamas in Israel, the Anti-Defamation League has been tracking a nearly 400 percent rise in antisemitic threats. Several of our communities have seen these acts of hate, even before the war started. And that’s part of the reason our state lawmakers are hoping to bring some peace of mind for Jewish friends and family.
Here’s a breakdown of what lawmakers are proposing in the special legislative session that begins Monday:
$25 million to the Department of Education for grants that would go to full-time Jewish day schools and pre-schools, to help bolster security. That money would be used to hire security workers, train staff on identifying threats, and buy security cameras and shatter-proof windows.
Lawmakers are also seeking $10 million for security at non-profit organizations like houses of worship, schools, museums and community centers that are “at risk for violent attacks or hate crimes.”
The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Randy Fine, has close ties to the Jewish community, being Jewish himself.
“Jews, not just in Israel, but right here in Florida do not feel safe today. We are a people that has been kicked out of every place that we have ever lived, for 2000 years,” said Fine. “More than scared, I am angry. While we are here to stand with Israel, let me make one thing very clear. This was not war against different people in a faraway land. It was an attack on all of us.”