ORLANDO, Fla. — A new Florida law that increases the penalties for those who commit antisemitic crimes is giving Central Florida Jews peace of mind.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, a leading anti-hate organization, 3,697 antisemitic incidents occurred in the U.S. in 2022. The organization said this is the highest number of hate-crime incidents they have recorded since it began tracking in 1979.
In 2021, there were nearly 1,600 hate-crime incidents related to religion throughout the country and anti-Jewish incidents made up more than 51% of those crimes that year, the FBI’s latest hate-crime statistics report found.
In February this year, a hate group targeted Rabbi Yosef Konikov’s synagogue, Chabad of South Orlando, by physically standing in front of the religious complex and shouting derogatory comments. However, this was not the first time the rabbi had others attempt to intimidate him and his community.
He said hateful groups promoting antisemitic acts have previously targeted his synagogue before and have praised Hitler by claiming that “he was right” for the actions he took to diminish the Jewish population.
“I’m sure they want other people to see what they do as being popular or trendy,” he said.
Konikov moved to Orlando to practice Judaism and teach others about his faith, and “gather Jewish people together.”
Despite the constant hateful acts Konikov and his community have faced, he said his community continues to grow.
“There were people that were scared in February when these individuals came here trying to intimidate people and scare people away from actually coming to the synagogue,” Konikov said. “People were asking questions like, ‘Are we secured? Is it safe to come?’”
In an attempt to protect religious groups, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 269 into law in May, which prohibits:
Dumping litter onto private property that poses a threat
Harassing or intimidating a person based on religious clothing or items worn on their person
Displaying images or any medium onto a building or structure without permission from the owner
Entering a Florida university or college campus with the purpose of threatening or intimidating another person
Disturbing a school or assembly of people met for worship of God
The law also requires any violation of any provision of the legislation to be reported as a hate crime.
Konikov said the passage of the bill feels like a weight lifted off the shoulders of practicing Jews.
“The fact that is passed, it is a big relief for the Jewish community because it will truly limit any opportunities for these hateful people,” he said.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith has spoken out about the department condemning the use of derogatory comments or acts toward anyone in the past.
“That commitment will not change,” Smith said in a statement. “As with any law, including new legislation, the Orlando Police Department will consult with our legal team regarding any enforcement action for incidents that take place that are a violation of the law.”
David Spalter, chair of Shalom Orlando’s Jewish Community Relations Council, said hateful acts like the one Konikov experienced are now classified as misdemeanors.
In some cases, violators can face a third-degree felony under the law.
“They can actually cite people and put a stop to incidents of that nature and arrest people if necessary,” said Spalter, who practices law at Jill Schwartz & Associates.
According to Spalter, HB 269 gives law enforcement the confidence to step in and take action to end such attacks.
“From a trespassing standpoint, certain boundaries that law enforcement can remove people from situations and create a zone where worshipers and other people exercising religious practices can feel safe,” Spalter said.