The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Rules
BILL: SR 8-C
INTRODUCER: Senator Berman
SUBJECT: Support for the State of Israel
DATE: November 2, 2023
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Twogood Twogood RC Pre-meeting
I. Summary:
SR 8-C expresses support for the State of Israel and condemns the attacks and hateful actions by
the Hamas terrorist group, as well as all persistent threats against Jewish people, institutions, and
communities.
II. Present Situation:
United States-Israel Relations
After Israel’s founding in 1948, the United States was the first country to recognize the State of
Israel.
1
United States-Israel relations are characterized by support, cultural resonance, and
cooperative mutual interests. The shared democratic values and religious affinities of the two
countries have contributed to the bilateral ties.
2
Israel’s security concerns influence United States policy considerations regarding the Middle
East, and the United States maintains an ongoing commitment to provide security assistance to
Israel.
3
In addition to the United States’ general expedition of aid and arms sales to Israel, a
10-year bilateral military aid memorandum of understanding commits the United States to
provide Israel $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing and to spend $500 million annually on
joint missile defense programs from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2028.
4
Iran and Hamas
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the governing body of the country of Iran. As a result of the
Iranian takeover of the American Embassy on November 4, 1979, the United States and Iran
1
U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Relations with Israel, January 30, 2023, https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-israel-2/ (last
visited October 31, 2023).
2
Id.
3
Congressional Research Service report, Israel: Background and U.S. Relations, February 3, 2022,
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44245/103 (last visited October 31, 2023).
4
Id.
REVISED: BILL: SR 8-C Page 2
severed diplomatic relations in April 1980. Since then, the United States and Iran have had no
formal diplomatic relationship.
5
The United States has designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism due to its repeated support for
acts of international terrorism.
6
Regionally, Iran has supported acts of terrorism in Bahrain, Iraq,
Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen through proxies and partner groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
Globally, Iran has supported terrorist recruitment, financing, and plots across Africa, Asia,
Europe, and North and South America.
7
According to the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Hamas is the largest and most capable
militant group in the Palestinian territories and is committed to armed resistance against Israel
and to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian State in Israel’s place. Hamas has been the de facto
governing body in the Gaza Strip since 2007
8
and is a designated foreign terrorist organization.
9
It receives funding, weapons, and training from Iran, as well as some funds that are raised in
Gulf Arab countries.
10
Recent Hamas Attacks on Israel
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel, shooting rockets and
sending militants into a number of Israeli towns and cities.
11
During the attack, Hamas militants
took over 200 hostages
12
and killed more than 1,400 civilians, including children and the
elderly.
13
Reports indicate additional atrocities involving rape and torture.
14
5
U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Relations with Iran, April 1, 2022, https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-iran/ (last visited
October 31, 2023).
6
U.S. Dept. of State, State Sponsors of Terrorism, https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/ (last visited October
31, 2023).
7
U.S. Dept. of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2021, https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2021/
(last visited October 31, 2023).
8
National Counterterrorism Center, Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Hamas, https://www.dni.gov/nctc/ftos/hamas_fto.html
(last visited October 31, 2023).
9
The United States designates as “foreign terrorist organizations” foreign organizations that engage in terrorist activity that
threatens the security of U.S. nationals or the national security (U.S. Dept. of State, Designated Foreign Terrorist
Organizations, https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ (last visited October 31, 2023)).
10
U.S. Dept. of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2021, https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2021/
(last visited October 31, 2023).
11
The Washington Post, Maps and videos show how the deadly surprise attack on Israel unfolded, October 8, 2023,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/07/israel-gaza-timeline-videos-maps/ (last visited October 31, 2023).
12
The New York Times, Israel’s Attackers Took Over 200 Hostages. Here’s What to Know About Them, October 31, 2023,
https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-hostages-hamas-explained.html (last visited October 31, 2023).
13
The New York Times, What We Know About the War Between Israel and Hamas, October 31, 2023,
https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-what-we-know.html (last visited October 31, 2023).
14
Reuters, Israeli forensic teams describe signs of torture, abuse, October 15, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-
east/israeli-forensic-teams-describe-signs-torture-abuse-2023-10-15/ (last visited October 31, 2023). BILL: SR 8-C Page 3
Following the attack, Israel declared war, beginning air strikes and blocking supplies from
entering Gaza.
15
The United States is providing military support to Israel in the ongoing
conflict.
16
Other Anti-Semitic Attacks
The U.S. Department of State uses the following definition of antisemitism:
A certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward
Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish
community institutions and religious facilities.
17
According to the most recent hate crimes report from the Office of the Attorney General, there
were 148 reported hate crimes in Florida in 2021. The motivations for the hate crimes were:
Race – 48 percent;
Sexual orientation – 24.5 percent;
Religion – 13.5 percent;
Ethnicity – 7.4 percent;
Homeless status – 2 percent; and
Mental disability – 0.7 percent.
18
Seventeen of the 20 religious hate crimes were committed against Jews.
19
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that anti-Jewish incidents comprised 51.4 percent
of all religion-related incidents reported in 2022.
20
In addition, Florida’s Jewish community has
recently been the target of anti-Semitic and hate messages.
21
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The resolution declares that the Senate:
Condemns the unprovoked and barbaric attacks by Hamas against Israel, its citizens, and
Americans.
15
CNN, Israel is at war with Hamas. Here’s what to know, October 28, 2023,
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/28/middleeast/israel-hamas-gaza-war-explained-week-3-mime-intl/index.html (last visited
October 31, 2023).
16
U.S. Dept. of Defense, U.S. Military Continues Focus on Supporting Israel, Ukraine, October 26, 2023,
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3570670/us-military-continues-focus-on-supporting-israel-
ukraine/ (last visited October 31, 2023).
17
U.S. Dept. of State, Defining Antisemitism, https://www.state.gov/defining-antisemitism/ (last visited October 31, 2023).
18
Office of the Attorney General, Hate Crimes in Florida: January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021,
https://www.myfloridalegal.com/files/pdf/page/BE0185D36969417B852589270066D783/Web+Link.pdf (last visited
October 31, 2023).
19
Id.
20
U.S. Dept. of Justice, FBI Releases Supplement to the 2021 Hate Crime Statistics, April 4, 2023,
https://www.justice.gov/crs/highlights/2021-hate-crime-statistics (last visited October 31, 2023).
21
USA Today, Florida lawmakers denounce anti-Semitic incidents over Labor Day weekend, September 6, 2023,
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/09/05/florida-disney-world-antisemitic/70772425007/ (last visited
October 31, 2023). BILL: SR 8-C Page 4
Unequivocally supports the right of the State of Israel to exist as a sovereign and independent
nation.
Supports the right of the State of Israel to defend itself and protect its citizens from
indiscriminate violence and acts of terrorism.
Demands the immediate end to any financial support, whether direct or indirect, of Hamas,
the Iranian regime, Hezbollah, or any other entity that publicly supports these attacks and
other terrorist activities.
Rejects and condemns persistent threats against Jewish people, institutions, and communities
in Florida, the United States, and abroad, including those from individuals and organizations
committed to the extermination of the Jewish people.
The resolution specifies that a copy of the resolution shall be presented to each member of the
Florida Delegation to the United States Congress and to the Ambassador of the State of Israel to
the United States as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.
A Senate resolution is ceremonial in nature. It is an expression of the Senate as a body.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None. BILL: SR 8-C Page 5
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
None.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.