Florida’s new law… the Muslim Brotherhood under the guillotine of counterterrorism

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In a move reflecting the escalation of the American approach to combating terrorism, the State of Florida has passed a new law tightening the grip on designated organizations.

The new law reinforces the pressure on the Muslim Brotherhood, considered a terrorist organization in the state, by opening the door to broader measures targeting funding and activities linked to the organization under the umbrella of counterterrorism.

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According to the official website of the state government, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill establishing “new safeguards against terrorist organizations.”

DeSantis stated: “To preserve the rule of law, our state must operate under a single legal system, and the Constitution must remain the law of the land. We must also protect our institutions from those who seek to harm us, especially terrorist organizations attempting to infiltrate and undermine our educational system.”

He added: “This bill reinforces these principles in Florida,” noting that it entered into force upon his signature.

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Last December, DeSantis signed an executive order declaring the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations.

The order directed state agencies to take all legal measures to prevent illegal activities carried out by terrorist organizations, including depriving entities that provide them with material support of contracts, funding, and other benefits.

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In a continuation of this trajectory, counterterrorism efforts in Florida are now governed by a legal framework under the new legislation, which is broader in scope than the executive order issued in December.

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The new legislation covers any terrorist organization, whether domestic or foreign, whereas the previous executive order specifically concerned the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR.

Nevertheless, the measures included in the new legislation will necessarily apply to the Muslim Brotherhood, already designated as a terrorist organization in the state.

The new law strengthens Florida’s counterterrorism framework by authorizing the head of homeland security within the state’s law enforcement department to recommend the designation of domestic terrorist organizations.

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It also ensures the ability to apply state laws against foreign terrorist organizations recognized at the federal level.

Once designated, these organizations are subject to a strict ban, including the prohibition of funding and government support, and individuals who provide material support to them face severe criminal penalties.

The legislation also enhances accountability in the education sector by prohibiting the use of taxpayer funds to support or promote terrorist organizations.

Institutions that violate these provisions may lose public funding, while students who promote terrorism may face disciplinary action.

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According to the executive order signed by the Florida governor last December, CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and any person known to have “provided material support or resources” to them are barred from obtaining contracts, employment, funds, or any public benefit or privilege from agencies.

The order also authorizes the State Homeland Security Council, composed of agency heads, to review existing authorities, regulations, and policies “to address the threats” posed by the two organizations and to recommend any additional measures.

With the adoption of the new legislation, the Muslim Brotherhood now falls under the guillotine of its provisions, facing further restrictions, this time legislative rather than executive in nature.

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Last month, the US Department of State announced the designation of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a specially designated global terrorist organization, adding it to the list of foreign terrorist organizations.

In mid-January, Washington designated the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as a “foreign terrorist organization,” the most severe designation, and also listed the Jordanian and Egyptian branches among “specially designated global terrorist organizations.”

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