Scott Wiener Confronted by Activists in San Francisco

This week in San Francisco, state senator Scott Wiener faced aggressive confrontations from activists voicing their displeasure with his stance on Israel. The situation escalated when one activist, in a rather alarming fashion, confronted Wiener at a bar, demanding he “liberate Palestine” and leave the Mission District.

Then, just two days later, protesters targeted him again in Dolores Park before a trans march. One activist yelled, “The moment you start supporting Israel, you stop being gay,” along with other insults. Wiener had to be escorted out for his safety.

Interestingly, Wiener had actually shifted his position on Israel back in January due to pressure from leftist activists. At that time, he stated he believed Israel was committing “genocide” in Gaza. It’s worth noting, however, that there has been a ceasefire in Gaza for quite some time, and even amid the conflict, Israel provided humanitarian aid to the region. Still, Wiener, who identifies as both gay and Jewish, was facing a tough primary challenge for Nancy Pelosi’s seat and felt obligated to align with new leftist narratives—even if he knew they weren’t entirely accurate.

Yet, despite this change, it seems nothing he does is sufficient. Being Jewish, he remains a target for criticism, regardless of his views. Mayor Daniel Lurie did not hold back in his response, stating, “The words directed at Senator Wiener yesterday were targeted, hateful, and anti-Semitic.”

In contrast, Wiener’s colleagues in the state Senate took a more general approach, labeling the “hatred and violence” he faced as “unacceptable,” while referencing his record on LGBTQ+ issues, yet avoiding a direct condemnation of the anti-Semitism exhibited. This hesitance might reflect a broader issue, as anti-Semitism appears to be on the rise within parts of the Democratic Party and among far-right groups.

Some critics have pointed fingers at Wiener himself, arguing that he occasionally employs harsh rhetoric against his opponents. For instance, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk last year, Wiener commented online that while Kirk’s murder was “reprehensible,” he described Kirk himself as “a despicable bigot who has caused untold harm.” 

Now, Wiener finds himself receiving treatment similar to what he once handed out. It’s a bit ironic, I suppose. While I’m not saying this is justified, it certainly highlights the absurdity of cancel culture. It also paints a troubling picture of today’s Democratic landscape, where animosity toward Jews seems to be more accepted.