Israel

Jewish leaders in South Florida and across the country are divided along political lines about their expectations of a second Trump presidency. But they appear unified in wanting unwavering support for Israel in its response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants.

Some artists hoping to lease their work to Florida cities for public exhibits are protesting a state law that requires government contractors to affirm they are not “engaged in a boycott of Israel.”

Paraguay has reopened its embassy in Jerusalem, a move that marks a diplomatic win for Israel as it faces increasing international isolation because of the Gaza war.

A year since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel, roughly 1,100 people gathered at Temple Beth Sholom on Miami Beach to remember the victims, call for the release of the remaining hostages and discuss hope for a better new Jewish year of 5785.

Judaism’s High Holy Days annually provide an emotional mix of celebration, introspection and atonement for Jews worldwide.

Saying it opposes “any form of academic censorship,” the United Faculty of Florida on Monday objected to a directive issued this month by university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues about reviewing textbooks and other materials for “antisemitic material” or “anti-Israeli” bias.

At issue is a directive from The Board of Governors to “conduct a keyword search on course descriptions and course syllabi for the following keywords: Israel, Israeli, Palestine, Palestinian, Middle East, Zionism, Zionist, Judaism, Jewish, or Jews.” The directive had made many university professors and others uncomfortable.

The placement of controversial artwork in the midst of Miami Beach’s Jewish community, a local art organization’s decision to remove it and the subsequent backlash from artists accusing the group of censorship has splintered Miami’s tight knit arts community along the same fault lines seen throughout the world.

The University of Florida has the largest endowment of any university in the state and like elsewhere in the county, protesters are demanding divesture from companies doing business with Israel. While learning its investments is impossible, seeing its underwhelming investment returns isn’t.

Student protesters supporting Palestine at the University of Florida are now vulnerable to suspension following continuing protests. This comes as colleges and universities are cracking down on a recent surge in students protesting against the war between Israel and Palestine.

The trip came the same week Israeli leaders were angered by the US allowing the United Nations security council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The South Florida Coalition for Palestine, joined by South Florida artists, led a rally at the Miami Beach Convention Center during Art Basel Miami Beach on Friday to demand a permanent ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. And an end to millions of dollars in Israeli bonds purchased by Miami-Dade County.