California State Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat running to succeed House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, was confronted by anti-Israel activists at two public events in San Francisco over his stance on the Israel-Gaza war. The incidents, which occurred during Pride Weekend and the week prior, drew significant attention and commentary online.
One video, which gained millions of views on X, showed Wiener being surrounded and shouted at by demonstrators at the San Francisco Trans March in Dolores Park. Hecklers used profanity and criticized his position on the conflict in Gaza. Wiener was compelled to leave the event as the confrontation escalated.
In a separate incident last Wednesday, Wiener was reportedly harassed at a San Francisco bar over his views on Israel while attempting to watch a World Cup game.
Wiener's office released a statement addressing the incidents, characterizing them as harassment, threats, and physical intimidation. "I have no objection whatsoever to anyone disagreeing with me, opposing me, or protesting me," Wiener stated. "All of that is core to democracy. I also have no issue when people talk to me on the street and ask questions or express opposition. That’s democracy, even when the people engaging in this conduct misrepresent my views."
However, he added, "when opposition and disagreement transition to harassment, including cornering me, touching me, or trying to physically bully me out of a public event, that crosses a line. We’re living in a time when violence is all too often threatened or used against people in public life. In San Francisco, we’re better than that."
Wiener, who is both gay and Jewish, had previously refrained from calling Israel's actions in Gaza a "genocide" but reversed his position in January, stating that he believed they qualified. Despite this shift, the incidents suggest that his stance remains a point of contention for some constituents.
The confrontations sparked widespread commentary, particularly from conservatives on social media who mocked Wiener, noting that even a progressive Democrat with a history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights faced such opposition. Commentators pointed to the irony of the situation, with some suggesting the attacks stemmed from anti-Semitism, while others broadly criticized the political left and its engagement with activists.
In January, Wiener stated that he believed Israel's actions in Gaza constituted genocide. Previously, he had not used the term "genocide" to describe the situation. His office indicated that he was "harassed, threatened, and physically intimidated" at both public appearances.