The United Kingdom’s recent decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements and individuals in the West Bank is a “disgusting” political calculation that could bankrupt major British companies, Florida Congressman Randy Fine (R) warned in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.
Fine, a leading voice in Florida’s pro-Israel legislative efforts, reacted sharply to the UK’s policy shift, attributing it to Britain’s changing demographics and what he described as a “desperate effort” to appeal to certain voter blocs.
“I think it’s disgusting, and I think it shows the risk of the mass Islamification of Western societies,” Fine said. “This is a political calculation. They let all of these people in who hate Britain, and now they’re catering to them for votes.”
He said Britain’s trajectory should serve as a “warning sign” for the United States on immigration and social integration.
Fine, who helped craft Florida’s anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) legislation, said the consequences for the UK would be legal and economic, not merely rhetorical. Under Florida law, the state is prohibited from doing business with companies or entities that boycott Israel.
‘The law in Florida… if you boycott Israel, we boycott you’
“The law in the state of Florida is that if you boycott Israel, we boycott you,” Fine stated. “It is the law of Florida, and it will be enforced. It will destroy the British economy because Florida is not the only place that passed that law.”
Fine cited Airbnb’s 2018 decision to delist properties in Israeli settlements as an example. Florida responded by moving to place the vacation rental company on its list of scrutinized companies, threatening the platform’s ability to operate in its largest market.
“Airbnb needed to work with the state of Florida to collect the taxes on its bookings, and the state said, ‘We can’t do that anymore,’” Fine recalled. “A few days later, they abandoned the policy. There are dozens of British companies that have major operations in Florida. They may all go bankrupt as a result of this.”
Asked whether a trade dispute with the UK could also damage Florida’s economy, Fine dismissed the concern, pointing to the size of US state economies.
Economies of Florida, Texas larger than UK
“I think they’re wrong,” Fine said. “The economies of Florida and Texas combined are larger than the economy of the UK. We will be fine. That tiny little island will not.”
Fine said that between 18 and 38 other US states have enacted similar anti-boycott laws, creating what he described as a potential “ripple effect” that could see British firms blacklisted across much of the American market.
He argued that pressure was likely already mounting within the UK’s private sector. “I suspect what is happening right now is major British companies are going to 10 Downing Street and saying, ‘Your idiotic effort to cater to Muslim voters is going to bankrupt our business. You need to stop it.’”
Fine concluded that enforcing the statutes was a matter of settled law in Florida, regardless of any diplomatic tensions that might follow.
“Enforcing the law is not optional. This law has been on the books for eight years,” Fine said. “We’re going to stand up to Muslim terror, whether it’s in Florida, whether it’s in Israel, or whether it’s in the UK”.
