Senate passes anti-BDS legislation targeting ‘antisemitism’ in schools, arts groups

The Senate has passed legislation (SB 1678) penalizing so-called academic boycotts of Israel, which is seen as part of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) movement.

Ahead of the 34-2 vote in favor of the bill, Sen. Tom Leek said the measure “expands and broadens Florida’s stance against antisemitism,” moving from private companies to educational and cultural institutions.

The bill would defend Israel against its opponents in schools and non-governmental agencies, holding that anti-Israeli actions undertaken by “an educational institution, a nonprofit organization, an agency, a local governmental entity or unit thereof, or a foreign government” amount to an “academic boycott.”

It also would mandate cessation of state contracts and grants with those entities on the wrong side of the ideological conflict if they don’t curb the behavior.

Impacted schools or groups would have 90 days to correct noncompliance and be removed from what would be called the “Scrutinized Companies or Other Entities that Boycott Israel List” under this proposal. Otherwise, the state would divest itself of contracts.

Leek said noncompliant entities would have to repay three times the amount of the original grant, and they would be banned from new grants for a decade. No appeal process is contemplated in the bill, and awardees would have to ensure they are “on the right side” of the issue ahead of time.

If the bill is signed as expected by Gov. Ron DeSantis, public funds, such as the State Board of Administration or State University System, cannot invest in identified companies. Additionally, it requires that arts and culture grants not go to support antisemitic work.

The bill would also target agreements, like foreign exchange programs, with foreign universities deemed to be supporting antisemitism.

The companion measure (HB 1519) is ready for a House vote, but the lower chamber likely will pick up the Senate version for consideration.