Jewish California Senator Harassed at San Francisco Transgender Parade Over Israel Stance

Scott Wiener, a California state senator and leading candidate to succeed Nancy Pelosi in the U.S. House of Representatives, was publicly harassed and forced to leave the annual San Francisco transgender parade on Saturday. Pro-Palestinian activists verbally attacked Wiener, a Jewish openly gay politician known for championing LGBTQ rights, accusing him of supporting a "genocide" in Gaza. The incident took place at Dolores Park as Wiener was heading to a "Pride Shabbat" led by a transgender rabbi.

The protesters surrounded Wiener, shouting insults and alleging he had "Zionist operators." A video recorded by activist Dimitri Yakushkin, which went viral with millions of views, shows about a dozen people chasing Wiener, making obscene gestures, and yelling profanities including "Fuck you and your Zionist operators!" and "You stopped being queer the moment you supported Israel." Wiener said the protesters touched him several times and he plans to file a police complaint, though he noted they did not physically push him. This was the first transgender parade Wiener has missed since 2004 due to safety concerns.

Yakushkin, who supports Wiener's electoral opponent Connie Chan, denied harassment claims, calling the confrontation typical voter-politician interaction. The episode follows a recent incident where another activist harassed Wiener in a San Francisco bar, demanding he say "Free Palestine" on camera.

Wiener has faced internal Democratic Party pressure over his Israel stance. While supporting Israel's right to exist and receiving backing from pro-Israel groups like J Street, he has criticized Netanyahu's government and opposed military aid to Israel. Earlier this year, Wiener reluctantly labeled Israeli actions in Gaza as "genocide," leading to backlash from California Jewish organizations and his resignation as co-chair of the state's Jewish caucus. Critics from the left still view him as insufficiently progressive on Israel.

Simultaneously, in New York, the 33rd annual Dyke March officially excluded self-identified Zionists, citing opposition to Zionism as a core value. This has caused a split with many Jewish participants leaving and forming alternative events such as "Peace Dykes" to support Jewish lesbians.

The incidents highlight ongoing tensions within progressive and LGBTQ communities over Israel-Palestine issues, reflecting broader political and cultural divides.