State Senator Scott Wiener was the subject of aggressive confrontations on two separate occasions in San Francisco this week, with activists citing his stance on Israel as the reason for their actions. The incidents have drawn criticism from local officials and highlighted ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party regarding the conflict in Gaza.
On Wednesday, Wiener was confronted at a bar by an activist who demanded he say "Free Palestine" and leave the Mission District. Two days later, prior to the Trans March at Dolores Park, he was approached by a group of activists. One individual reportedly told Wiener, "You stopped being queer the moment you started supporting Israel," before he was escorted away.
According to reports, Wiener had altered his position on Israel in January, stating he agreed that Israel was committing "genocide" in Gaza. This shift occurred as he faced a primary challenge for a congressional seat previously held by Nancy Pelosi. Mayor Daniel Lurie condemned the language directed at Wiener, characterizing it as "targeted, hateful, and antisemitic."
Colleagues in the State Senate issued a statement denouncing the "hatred and violence" toward Wiener, referencing his record on LGBTQ+ issues but stopping short of explicitly condemning antisemitism. Critics, meanwhile, have pointed to Wiener's own past use of strong language when criticizing political opponents, suggesting a parallel between his treatment and his previous rhetoric.
The incidents and the subsequent reactions have underscored broader discussions about rising antisemitism within segments of the Democratic Party and the complexities of political discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Wiener, who is both gay and Jewish, has become a focal point in these debates.