State lawmakers could weigh in on Jerusalem

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The debate about whether to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital could be coming to the Florida Legislature.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs, and Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, filed a measure Monday that would back the recent decision by President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital and to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The decision has spurred international controversy, including during a session Monday of the United Nations Security Council.

But Florida Gov. Rick Scott has backed Trump's position, as would the resolution (HR 1027) filed by Moskowitz and Fine for the upcoming 2018 legislative session.

The resolution says that “Florida recognizes the historical, religious, and cultural importance of Jerusalem and supports both the recognition of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel and the relocation of the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Furthermore, the state of Florida supports and applauds the recent action taken by the federal government to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.”