A series of flyers accusing Jews in Florida of encroaching upon “free speech” was found on the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) campus on Nov. 1, the Forward reports.
The full title of the flyer was “Florida Jews Attack Campus Free Speech,” saying that an anti-Semitism bill that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law on May 29 “restricts legitimate criticism of Israel and the role of Jews in the United States. The bill attacks the 1st Amendment by controlling what teachers, including in public universities, may say about Jews and the Zionist state.”
UCF’s Knights for Israel wrote in a Facebook post that the flyers are “a gaslight towards Jews and Zionists alike” and “an excuse to cause and act on hatred. Delegitimizing and defamation isn’t a criticism. Stereotyping and racism isn’t a criticism. Questioning one’s loyalty to a nation is nationalism, not a criticism. Generalizing for the sake of misinformation isn’t a criticism. None of the items listed here are criticisms. They are mere temper tantrums from a bully-child who can longer throw a punch.”
https://www.facebook.com/KnightsForIsrael/photos/a.767197476639904/3639591492733807/?type=3&theater
Anti-Defamation League’s Florida chapter tweeted, “We’re monitoring the situation at @UCF, where #antisemitic flyers were reportedly posted around campus. Every student should be able to attend class without encountering such vile bigotry.”
We're monitoring the situation at @UCF, where #antisemitic flyers were reportedly posted around campus. Every student should be able to attend class without encountering such vile bigotry. @UCFPD https://t.co/kstGGvkLQz
— ADL Florida (@ADL_Florida) November 1, 2019
The university did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment.
The Florida anti-Semitism bill stated that criticism of Israel that includes double standards or accusing Jews of having dual loyalty is anti-Semitic and is applied to public schools. Republican State Rep. Randy Fine said to DeSantis during the bill’s signing ceremony, “All Jewish children are going to be protected because of what you are doing here today.”
