Florida’s DeSantis signs legislation to sanction Iran, protect Jewish institutions

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs legislation that puts sanctions on Iran and protects Jewish institutions.

Lawmakers are in Tallahassee earlier this month for a special session, just two months before the legislature’s regular annual session is set to begin. They approved bills to provide $45 million in grants to secure Jewish institutions and other places that could be a target of hate crimes, as well as legislation to strengthen sanctions already in place against companies that do business with Iranian companies.

DeSantis, who is running for president as a Republican, has campaigned on his support for Israel as it mounts an offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people. The legislature passed the measures Wednesday just hours before DeSantis participated in a GOP presidential debate in Miami.