The Lawfare Project welcomes dismissal of lawsuit filed against Joe Kaufman

The Lawfare Project announced today that it welcomes the recent dismissal by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida of a lawsuit filed by the South Florida Muslim Federation (SFMF) against Joe Kaufman. The complaint alleged that Kaufman, a counter-terrorism expert and congressional candidate, engaged in discrimination when the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center in Coral Springs, Florida canceled SFMF’s 2024 annual conference.

Kaufman raised concerns about the event’s featured speakers, some of whom he reported had glorified Hamas or spread antisemitic rhetoric, with hotel management and in a published article.

“The court’s decision to dismiss is the right decision,” said Brooke Goldstein, Founder and Executive Director of The Lawfare Project. “Why should anyone be targeted, harassed, and sued for raising legitimate concerns about terrorist sympathizers speaking in their community? SFMF should have never filed this complaint let alone thought it was acceptable to host an event that featured pro-Hamas sycophants.”

The court found that SFMF lacked standing to seek injunctive relief under federal anti-discrimination law and failed to plausibly allege intentional race-based discrimination or conspiracy.

“I want to thank The Lawfare Project and my attorneys Ken Turkel and David Hayes of Turkel Cuva Barrios for defending me in this case,” said Joe Kaufman. “My intention was to raise legitimate concerns about an event with proposed speakers who spread anti-Jewish hate and glorify terrorism. I am relieved that this matter has been resolved and grateful to those who stood by me throughout the process.”