Florida Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL.), the only Jewish Republican legislator in the state, flipped his support from Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL.) to former President Trump following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
This week, Fine penned an op-ed explaining why he was switching his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump, claiming the governor has not demonstrated enough action to combat antisemitism.
"Before Governor DeSantis got elected, I helped fund a state Holocaust memorial. It's five years later; they haven't broken ground. Governor DeSantis has taken longer to commemorate the deaths of six million Jews than it took the Allies to stop the deaths of six million more," Fine wrote.
"Eighteen months ago, my Nazi' friends' showed up in Florida. They assaulted a Rabbi. They beat up a Jew who yelled back at one of their protests. They commandeered highway overpasses to illegally hang banners saying 'Gas the Jews.' They have tormented Jews at their homes with filth. Until a few weeks ago, Governor DeSantis said almost nothing. And worse, he did almost nothing," he continued.
Fine has been a full-fledged supporter of DeSantis, praising the words the governor preaches. However, the Florida congressman says DeSantis's actions don't match his promises.
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"Donald Trump didn't just talk about moving the Embassy. He did it. Donald Trump didn't just talk about Israeli security. He green-lit them annexing the Golan," he said. "Donald Trump didn't just talk about peace. He signed the Abraham Accords. He deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for it."
DeSantis's campaign hit back at Fine's op-ed, arguing that the governor has taken significant steps in protecting the Jewish community.
"This is nothing more than shameful political theater at a time when Ron DeSantis is leading the charge to support Israel. From working to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, to combatting antisemitism throughout Florida and its schools, to securing funding for security at Jewish schools and synagogues, there's never been a more pro-Israel Governor," Press Secretary Bryan Griffin said.
"When Joe Biden stood idly by, Ron DeSantis sent planes to bring over 700 Americans home to safety and called the Florida legislature back for a special session to levy sanctions against Iran and provide further protections to Jewish students and faith communities in Florida," he continued. "When it comes to standing in defense of Israel, he's always been a leader who acts and delivers."
