San Francisco voters are hearing a heated debate over Israel‑Palestine policy as the congressional race between incumbent Sen. Scott Wiener and challenger Supervisor Connie Chan intensifies. Pro‑Palestine activists have launched a focused campaign against Wiener, accusing him of being too soft on Israel despite his public condemnation of the conflict.
Policy differences and campaign tactics
Both Wiener and Chan describe Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide and reject contributions from the pro‑Israel lobbying group AIPAC. Their platforms diverge on one key issue: Chan supports a full arms embargo that would bar U.S. companies and citizens from selling military equipment to Israel, while Wiener wants to preserve Israel’s ability to purchase U.S. missile‑defense systems.
Chan has been leveraging the long‑standing tension with pro‑Palestine groups to energize her base. She has posted videos criticizing Wiener’s record and urged political action committees to target him. In late September, a pro‑Palestine PAC spent $100,000 on digital ads aimed at the incumbent.
Polling shows a competitive race
A University of Southern California poll of likely voters found Wiener leading Chan 47 % to 41 %, with 9 % undecided and a 5 % margin of error. The same poll noted that voters were more likely to identify Wiener as a YIMBY (7 %) or LGBTQ advocate (5 %) than as associated with “Israel/AIPAC” (3 %).
Public opinion on the Israel‑Palestine conflict has shifted dramatically since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. A 2025 poll of Democrats reported that 77 % believed Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, and 65 % said their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians than with Israelis, up from 38 % in 2022.
Wiener’s response and community outreach
Feeling the pressure, Wiener has taken a grassroots approach, handing out flyers at house parties that outline his positions on housing, transit, immigration, and other issues, alongside a separate set that explains his stance on Israel. He maintains that Israel has “every right to fight back” while urging the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza.
Critics have sometimes framed the backlash against Wiener as antisemitic. Wiener, who is Jewish, was heckled at the June Trans March, with a protester shouting, “Fuck you and your Israeli handlers.” However, community leaders note that criticism of a politician’s foreign‑policy views does not automatically equate to antisemitism.
Historical context of the debate
The friction between Wiener and pro‑Palestine activists dates back to at least 2019, when the two sides sparred over a Democratic Party platform amendment calling for a two‑state solution. Wiener supported the two‑state approach and opposed language that would endorse a one‑state solution for Palestine, citing concerns about Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.
During the May 2021 violence, Wiener issued a statement condemning Hamas while also denouncing the Netanyahu administration’s settlement and land‑expropriation policies, describing them as “right‑wing extremists fueled by anti‑Arab rhetoric.”
Looking ahead
As the primary election approaches, the race remains tight. While Wiener enjoys strong name recognition on housing and LGBTQ issues, Chan’s recent endorsement of a full arms embargo and her outreach to pro‑Palestine voters could reshape the electorate. Voters who prioritize Israel‑Palestine policy will likely weigh these nuanced positions alongside traditional local concerns.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
