US Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis participates in a Fox News Channel’s Democracy 2024: Fox News Town Hall ahead of the caucus vote in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Jan. 9, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Scott Morgan

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has drawn criticism for his decision to travel to Ireland, amid growing controversy over the country’s treatment of Israel and Jewish people. 

Florida state Rep. Randy Fine (R) blasted DeSantis’ Ireland trip, arguing that the nation has become an “antisemitic country.” DeSantis traveled to Ireland to attend the Florida State-Georgia Tech football game, which took place last Saturday. While there, he also engaged in a series of business development meetings. 

“I was certainly disappointed to see not only folks go to what is clearly an antisemitic country that supports Muslim terror, but I was also disappointed that the game wasn’t cancelled, which it should have been,” Fine told USA Today. 

Ireland has come under fire over its decision in May to recognize the Palestinian territories as an official state. The decision incensed many supporters of the Jewish state, arguing that it rewarded the Hamas terrorist group’s slaughter of 1200 people in southern Israel on Oct. 7. 

Fine retaliated by promising to submit legislation to place Ireland on Florida’s list of “scrutinized companies.” If passed, the legislation would practically prohibit the state from striking business deals with Ireland. 

“Next session, I will introduce legislation that adds any country that recognizes ‘Palestine’ to Florida’s list of scrutinized countries, with severe limitations on entities from those countries doing business with and in Florida,” Fine posted on X/Twitter, “Spain, Ireland, and Norway will join Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Syria, among others, on that list. Govern yourselves accordingly.”

DeSantis swiped at Fine, arguing that he is not the only person connected to Florida’s government to visit Ireland for the football game. 

“I think just about every lobbyist in Tallahassee made that trip, so is Rep. Fine going to stop taking the money from all the lobbyists like he’s been doing?” DeSantis questioned. “I’d like to see his answer to that.”

Ireland, along with Spain and Norway, decided to officially recognize Palestine as a country in May. Though the decision sparked outrage in Israel, officials in Spain, Norway, and Ireland argued such a move would help foster a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and lead to lasting peace in the region, explaining that the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza accelerated their plans.

Dublin said it plans to upgrade its representative office in the West Bank to a full embassy and the Palestinian mission in Ireland will also be offered full embassy status.

“The government recognizes Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said in a statement. “We had wanted to recognize Palestine at the end of a peace process. However, we have made this move alongside Spain and Norway to keep the miracle of peace alive.”