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 lead to the bankruptcy of 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 shift in policy, attributing the move to internal British demographics and a “desperate effort” to court specific 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 added that the UK’s trajectory serves as a “warning sign” to the United States regarding immigration and social integration.
Fine, who was instrumental in crafting Florida’s anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) legislation, emphasized that the fallout for the UK from his state will be legal and economic rather than merely rhetorical. Under Florida law, the state is prohibited from conducting business with companies or entities that engage in a boycott of 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.”
To illustrate his point, Fine pointed to the 2018 case involving Airbnb. The vacation rental giant had initially announced it would delist properties in Israeli settlements. In response, Florida moved to place Airbnb 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.”
When asked about critics who suggest that a trade war with the UK could harm Florida’s own economy, Fine remained undeterred, citing the sheer scale of the American state-level 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 noted that between 18 and 38 other US states have similar anti-boycott laws on the books, suggesting a “ripple effect” that could see British firms blacklisted across large swaths of the American market.
According to Fine, the pressure is likely already building 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,’” he said.
The congressman concluded by asserting that the enforcement of these statutes is a matter of settled law in Florida, regardless of the diplomatic tensions it may cause.
“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.”