Fine to Britain: Boycott Israel, Get Boycotted by Florida

WASHINGTON (VINnews) – Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., is warning Britain that any effort to force British companies to boycott parts of Israel could cost businesses billions of dollars in lost access to Florida’s state and local governments.

Fine said Monday that a Florida law he helped pass while serving in the state Legislature could prevent companies participating in a boycott of Israel from doing business with Florida state or local governments.

As the British government considers forcing British companies to boycott portions of Israel, it should be aware that a Florida law that I passed as a member of the Legislature would ban any British company forced to comply from doing business with any state or local government in…

— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) September 7, 2026

Fine pointed to Airbnb as proof that the law can have a major impact. In 2019, Airbnb announced plans to remove roughly 200 listings in Israeli communities in the West Bank. Florida officials moved to impose financial and contracting restrictions on the company under the state’s anti-boycott laws.

Airbnb later reversed its decision and restored the listings. Fine said the Florida law was a major factor, claiming Airbnb determined that complying with the boycott could have put the company in serious financial danger.

“Those who doubt the power of this policy,” Fine wrote, “should look at Airbnb.”

Fine said the same law could now affect British companies if the British government requires them to participate in measures targeting Israeli businesses or communities.

The law restricts companies participating in a boycott of Israel from qualifying for certain Florida government contracts. Companies seeking contracts also must certify that they are not participating in such a boycott.

Fine warned that the consequences could extend beyond government contracts to British businesses that need permits, tax-related services or other official interactions with Florida authorities to operate.

“Florida is one of Britain’s largest trading partners,” Fine wrote. He warned that Britain’s policy could “cost them billions of dollars.”

His comments come as Britain considers additional economic measures targeting Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, including possible restrictions on trade and sanctions against companies involved in construction there.

Fine concluded that Florida’s policy is straightforward: “Any company — or nation — that boycotts Israel is boycotted by Florida.”