In the wake of pro-Palestinian/Hamas rallies occurring in Florida and nationwide, Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and other Republican lawmakers in Florida have taken a hard line in support of Israel.

DeSantis condemned pro-Hamas rallies in Florida at which protestors chanted, “free Palestine,” and held signs saying Israel was guilty of “ethnic cleansing, genocide and apartheid.”

DeSantis said, “The rallies in Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale supporting Hamas are abhorrent. Hamas is a terrorist group that is dedicated to the destruction of Israel and commits atrocities to further that end. We are proud of the relationship between Florida and Israel and remember well the support we received from the IDF following the Surfside tower collapse. Florida stands with Israel as it faces one of its greatest challenges.