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Ron DeSantis Under Fire from Florida Jewish Leaders for Rallying with Anti-Semite-Sympathizer Doug Mastriano

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Local Jewish leaders are calling out Ron DeSantis, as he’s set to travel to Pennsylvania and campaign later today for Doug Mastriano, who has deep and troubling connections to far-right social media site Gab and its antisemitic founder Andrew Torba. Gab has been called a “haven for hate speech and white supremacists” and was “key” to the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, where 11 Jewish people were murdered. Despite this, Mastriano paid Gab to recruit supporters for his campaign and refuses to denounce Torba’s antisemitism.

Ahead of that rally, the Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus Board and local leaders condemned DeSantis and called on him to cancel his rally, and called on their Republican counterparts to join them.

Here’s what news coverage is saying about DeSantis’ embrace of Mastriano — despite his dangerous antisemitic ties: 

Fox News: Florida Dem Jewish leaders call on GOP to urge DeSantis to cancel rally appearance with Mastriano in PA — “The Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus is calling on the Florida branch of the Republican Jewish Coalition to join the ranks of its national organization in calling on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to not campaign for Doug Mastriano…”

Newsweek: Ron DeSantis Called out by Jewish Leaders Over Doug Mastriano Rally — “Jewish and Democratic leaders in Florida have spoken out against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ upcoming appearance at a rally in Pittsburgh, where he is set to campaign for Pennsylvania’s Republican gubernatorial nominee, Doug Mastriano. Rabbi Mark Winer, president of the Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus, said on Thursday that DeSantis’ association with Mastriano provides an “active comfort” to bigotry and racism.

Yahoo News: DeSantis knocked by Jewish leaders for rallying with Pennsylvania GOP candidate — “Florida Democrats and Jewish leaders joined religious groups in Pennsylvania in condemning Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., for his plans to appear Friday with Doug Mastriano, the Republican candidate for governor in Pennsylvania…Requests for comment from DeSantis’ gubernatorial office and from Mastriano’s campaign were not returned.”

Philadelphia Inquirer: Ron DeSantis is campaigning for Doug Mastriano in Pittsburgh, but a multifaith group is pushing back — “DeSantis also faced criticism at home for the Mastriano event. Rabbi Mark Winer, president of the Florida Democratic Party’s Jewish Caucus, and other activists called on DeSantis on Thursday to cancel it.”

Insider: Jewish Democrats in Florida slam Ron DeSantis for campaigning with Doug Mastriano, Republican who praised founder of far-right platform Gab — “Jewish Democrats in Florida on Thursday called for Gov. Ron DeSantis to pull out of a rally with Pennsylvania Republican Doug Mastriano, arguing that the appearance with a candidate who has welcomed the support of Christian nationalists would only encourage far-right extremism.”

Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Jewish and Democratic leaders in Florida urge DeSantis to cancel Mastriano rally appearance — “DeSantis also faced criticism at home for the Mastriano event. Rabbi Mark Winer, president of the Florida Democratic Party’s Jewish Caucus, and other activists called on DeSantis on Thursday to cancel it.”