Ron DeSantis just delivered a crushing blow to anti-Israel groups that they never saw coming

Governor Ron DeSantis has been on a mission to combat antisemitism.

He’s consistently stood up for Israel while other politicians waver.

And Ron DeSantis just delivered a crushing blow to anti-Israel groups that they never saw coming.

DeSantis Signs Florida’s Most Aggressive Anti-BDS Law Yet

Governor Ron DeSantis made it crystal clear where Florida stands on the Israel debate by signing into law the most comprehensive anti-boycott legislation in the nation.

The new law, SB 1678, strengthens Florida’s fight against anti-Israel boycotts by targeting universities and cultural organizations, forcing state institutions to cut ties with any group that discriminates against Israel, and blocking taxpayer funding from flowing to anti-Israel causes.

This isn’t just another symbolic gesture from politicians who want to sound tough on antisemitism.

DeSantis backed up his words with real action that will cost these radical groups millions of dollars in taxpayer funding.

Under the new law, “an educational institution, a nonprofit organization, an agency, a local governmental entity or unit thereof, or a foreign government” that takes anti-Israel actions will be classified as engaging in an “academic boycott.”

The legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers.

Democrats and Republicans alike recognized the threat posed by the growing BDS movement on college campuses and in cultural institutions.

Universities and Arts Groups Face Tough Choice

The new law doesn’t just slap offenders on the wrist — it hits them where it hurts most.

The bill mandates cessation of state contracts and grants with those entities if they don’t change their ways.

These groups will be added to Florida’s official blacklist called the “Scrutinized Companies or Other Entities that Boycott Israel List.” Once they’re on that list, the state cuts them off completely.

For universities in the State University System, the stakes are even higher.

The bill forces the Florida Retirement System and university endowments to dump their investments in any company or institution that joins anti-Israel boycotts.

That’s not pocket change — we’re talking about massive investment portfolios worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Universities that thought they could quietly support BDS movements while still collecting Florida taxpayer dollars just learned they can’t have it both ways.

Senator Tom Leek, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized the serious financial consequences for noncompliant entities.

The message from Tallahassee couldn’t be clearer: participate in anti-Israel boycotts and you’ll face devastating financial consequences.

Arts Organizations Must Certify They Won’t Discriminate

The legislation doesn’t stop at universities — it extends to Florida’s arts and culture community as well.

The law requires an applicant for the Department of State’s arts and culture grants to certify that it will comply with all relevant anti-discrimination laws and will not engage in antisemitic discrimination or speech in conjunction with its grant project and provides penalties for such a violation.

This provision sends shockwaves through Florida’s cultural institutions that have been quietly supporting BDS movements while taking state money.

Now they’ll have to choose between their radical politics and their taxpayer funding.

Many arts organizations rely heavily on state grants to fund their operations and programming.

The thought of losing that funding — and potentially having to pay back triple damages — will force these groups to abandon their anti-Israel activism.

DeSantis Has Long Track Record of Standing With Israel

This latest legislation builds on Governor DeSantis’s consistent record of supporting Israel and combating antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head.

In 2019, Governor DeSantis made history when he held the first-ever overseas meeting of the Florida Cabinet in Israel and signed into law HB 741, legislation that made Florida a leader in combatting antisemitism in public education, and led the way against BDS when he placed economic sanctions on Airbnb when it attempted to boycott Jewish homeowners in Judea and Samaria.

DeSantis has repeatedly called himself “the most pro-Israel governor in the country” when he first ran for governor in 2018, and his actions back up those words.

When other governors stay quiet about rising antisemitism on college campuses, DeSantis takes decisive action.

The legislation gives Ron DeSantis another opportunity to demonstrate his strong support for Israel.

Florida Sets Example for Other States

Florida’s aggressive stance puts pressure on other states to follow suit in combating the BDS movement.

Thirty-eight states have penalized boycotts of Israel in measures that critics argue directly attack First Amendment rights, but Florida’s law goes further than most by specifically targeting academic boycotts.

The new law takes effect July 1, giving institutions time to get their affairs in order before facing potential consequences.

But make no mistake — DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have drawn a line in the sand.

Organizations that want to discriminate against Israel while taking Florida taxpayer money will soon discover that their free ride is over.

What This Means for the Future

The passage of SB 1678 represents a turning point in the fight against campus antisemitism and institutional discrimination against Israel.

For too long, universities and cultural organizations have been able to promote BDS movements while still collecting millions in taxpayer funding.

Governor DeSantis just ended that hypocrisy once and for all.

Anti-Israel groups that thought they could quietly operate in Florida’s institutions without consequences are about to learn a painful lesson.

The law creates real financial incentives for institutions to reject antisemitic boycotts and embrace partnership with America’s closest ally in the Middle East.

With Florida leading the charge, other states will likely follow with similar legislation targeting academic boycotts of Israel.

The BDS movement may have found success intimidating corporate boardrooms and infiltrating college campuses.

But they just ran into a brick wall named Ron DeSantis — and he’s not backing down.