TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Sen. Rick Scott hosted a roundtable meeting on Wednesday in Tampa with members of the region’s Jewish community.
Some joining the discussion have family members in Israel still being impacted by the country’s war with Hamas.
The discussion, which included Scott and U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis, gave attendees a chance to share perspectives, personal stories, and concerns about a rising level of antisemitism.
“They're worried about their own safety. They're worried about their kids’ safety. They're worried about Israel. They're worried about family and friends and Israel,” Scott said. “I mean this is a tough time in this country to be Jewish.”
Among those attending was USF President Rhea Law, who has seen protests on the university's campus.
There were also members of St. Petersburg's Florida Holocaust Museum, which has been working to combat increasing acts of antisemitism.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, in the four weeks following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the number of reported antisemitic incidents increased by 388% in the U.S. Islamophobic incidents have also been up sharply, increasing 216% during that same period.
“We talked about real and tangible things that can be done to help the community. And this is not just a Jewish problem, this is a problem for society in general. So, it takes all of us to fight back,” Michael Igel, the Florida Holocaust Museum’s board chairman, said.
Igel also has family in Israel.
He was one of several who shared personal stories of concern for what was happening both there - and here.
“Safety has become a real issue here,” Igel said. “Calls for genocide of Jewish people. This is America. Why is that happening? We need to educate. We need to be able to fight back so that we can all be happy members of this country.”
Sen. Scott pledged his ongoing support for Israel and promised to help direct federal resources to local groups as they work to battle the rise in acts of antisemitism since the onset of the war.
“If your organization is looking for a grant, we will work with you to get it,” Scott said. “There's a lot of federal grants. And we will work with you to do it.”
“Imagine what it is to be the recipient of calls for genocide. Today, it's me. But tomorrow it could be you,” Igel said. “And you have my commitment that I will stand next to you as a fellow citizen and a civilized human being, that I will fight for humanity. And we need that now.”