With a Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles letter stating that law enforcement will be on the watch to prevent any and all anti-Semitic activity in the upcoming days, Jews in the Sunshine State should feel secure over the High Holidays.
The message was sent by Dave Kerner, executive director of FLHSMV, and widely disseminated throughout Florida’s Jewish communities on Thursday in response to the prevalence of anti-Semitic incidents nationwide.
It’s the first time that Florida law enforcement has officially informed the Jewish community that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be observed with increased security.
“Antisemitic groups have recently engaged in shameful attempts to intimidate Florida’s Jewish communities,” stated Kerner.
“Where necessary, FHP is pursuing criminal investigations, and those who break the law will face the harshest penalties possible.
If you or a member of your community encounters such a circumstance, please call law enforcement right away.
The memo frequently referred to House Bill 269, which Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law in May and which made a number of actions meant to endanger people because of their religious beliefs illegal.
It was only made public one day after a Neo-Nazi protester was detained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol for hanging anti-Semitic flyers from an I-4 overpass in Orlando, as previously reported.
According to Rabbi Mark Rosenberg, Chief Chaplain of the Florida Highway Patrol, “Governor DeSantis is taking real steps to protect its Jewish residents,” according to VIN News.
“HB 269 is a unique piece of legislation that no other state in the nation has, and the governor deserves praise for setting an example in the fight against anti-Semitism.”
Similar admiration for Kerner and his efforts to safeguard the safety of all Floridians, especially its religious communities, came from Rosenberg. Since taking over FLHSMV, “he has been a beacon of light, putting strong policies in place to protect all Floridians,” according to Rosenberg.
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