Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, joined by Israel Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, addressed the media on Tuesday during a news conference at The Shul of Bal Harbour in Surfside.
The media event delved into various topics, including the recent tragic events in Israel and the deep connections between Surfside and the Middle Eastern nation.
Governor DeSantis began by offering heartfelt condolences for the victims of the recent violence in Israel. He paid tribute to Israel Defense Forces Captain Abraham Hankin from North Miami Beach, who lost his life in a battle against Hamas terrorists on Saturday night, and expressed prayers for the several dozen Florida residents who have returned to Israel to fulfill their commitments to the country's armed forces.
Emphasizing the crucial duty of Israel to defend itself against aggression, Gov. DeSantis said, "Israel has the duty to defend itself in a way that Hamas terrorist infrastructure and networks are eradicated from the Earth."
Surfside's strong ties with Israel were highlighted, notably the pivotal role played by the Israel Defense Forces in the recovery efforts following the catastrophic collapse of Champlain Towers South in 2021, which resulted in the retrieval of 81 out of 97 victims.
Surfside synagogue's rabbi, Sholom Lipskar, encouraged supporters to donate to Israel's war effort.
In a show of unwavering support for Israel, DeSantis directed that flags at all local and state buildings in Florida be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Friday as a mark of respect for the victims. Furthermore, the Florida Capitol will be illuminated in blue and white, symbolizing unity with Israel, from sunset to sunrise until the same date.
DeSantis, a 2024 presidential candidate, called for the blocking of Iranian businesses from contracts in Florida as a punitive measure against Iran's longstanding support of Hamas. Although unconfirmed by intelligence sources, DeSantis also asserted, "Yes, Iran was involved in orchestrating this attack against Israel."
He further stated, "We don't do business with state sponsors of terrorism such as Iran."
In the upcoming legislative session, the Florida governor plans to propose increased sanctions on Iran and the prohibition of Iranian businesses from profiting within the state, aiming to "choke off money going to the Iranian regime." These sanctions would remain in place until both the President and Congress certify that Iran has ceased supporting international terrorism and has ceased seeking weapons of mass destruction.
This legislation builds on a law previously signed by DeSantis in May, which restricts state contracts or property ownership to investors and companies affiliated with "countries of concern," including Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria.
The governor expressed his deep concern for the escalating violence, emphasizing that the recent incursion by Hamas fighters into Israel resulted in a significant loss of lives, including those of 11 Jewish Americans. He criticized the Biden administration's recent unfreezing of $6 billion for Iran, highlighting that the funds could potentially be used to support terrorism, which the Biden team has denied.
DeSantis closed by reiterating Israel's right to defend itself with overwhelming force and called for the eradication of Hamas terrorist infrastructure. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who emphasized that the conflict arises from the rejection of Israel's right to exist.
Israel Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky concluded the conference, characterizing the situation as a battle between light and darkness, good and evil and stressed the importance of standing with Israel during these challenging times.
In an interview Monday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Governor DeSantis reiterated Israel's right to defend itself and the necessity of eliminating the Hamas threat. He expressed his personal connection to the situation, citing his service in Iraq and the role of Iranian-backed Shia militias during that period.