DeSantis Defends Banning Pro-Palestinian Groups from FL Colleges

On Oct 29, 2023

TL/DR –

Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis defended his call to ban pro-Palestinian groups from state colleges as Israel expanded its ground offensive in Gaza. His Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy, insisted that such a move would violate the First Amendment rights of the students, but DeSantis pushed back stating that the pro-Palestinian groups have linked themselves to Hamas and thus, should not receive taxpayer dollars. DeSantis has previously ordered two state universities to deactivate chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine due to alleged violations of state laws prohibiting antisemitism.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Addresses Ban on Pro-Palestinian Groups

Republican presidential aspirant and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has defended his call to ban pro-Palestinian groups from Floridian state colleges amidst Israel’s ongoing ground offensive in Gaza. He stood his ground on his decision during a recent “Meet the Press” interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker.

In the interview, DeSantis responded to criticism from fellow Republican 2024 contender Vivek Ramaswamy who opined that the move could infringe upon students’ First Amendment rights. Ramaswamy, who trails DeSantis in national polls, contended that the ban was a “shameful political ploy” and a violation of the constitution.

DeSantis dismissed the allegations of promoting ‘cancel culture’, stating, “This is not cancel culture.” He asserted that pro-Palestinian groups had aligned themselves with the Hamas movement following their attack in Gaza. He further clarified that while students have the right to demonstrate, they cannot lend material support to terrorism.

DeSantis emphasized that Florida state laws forbid fundraising for groups like Hamas, and any such actions would be seen as material support to terrorism, not a First Amendment issue.

The Israeli-Hamas conflict has sparked heated debates in colleges and universities across the US, leading to numerous protests and demonstrations. The Florida Governor had recently ordered two state universities to deactivate chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine for allegedly violating state laws against antisemitism.