Hasan Piker. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Political streamer Hasan Piker, one of the most influential voices in progressive online media, has drawn criticism after suggesting that California State Sen. Scott Wiener (D) should have anticipated a hostile reception at San Francisco’s Trans March because of his past positions on Israel.

Piker, a self-described progressive with a massive online following who has experienced a surge of influence within the Democratic Party in recent years, was reacting to footage circulating online showing Wiener, who is Jewish and gay, being jeered by some attendees at the annual LGBTQ+ event. Critics of the confrontation characterized it as antisemitic harassment directed at an elected official attending a community gathering, pointing to one agitator who told Wiener he had “stopped being Queer” when he indicated support for Israel.

During a livestream, Piker argued that Wiener’s record on Israel and the Palestinians made such backlash predictable, and suggested the senator had attended the pride event to incite a negative reaction. “Maybe he wants these videos to exist,” Piker said, accusing Wiener of “farming sympathy.” He added: “Of course this is gonna happen, what are u thinking? This is like if I went to a Klan rally, they would probably kill me.”

Piker continued, suggesting that politicians who have previously supported Israel should expect to face anger from activists, particularly within progressive spaces that have grown increasingly critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. He also argued that reactions to the incident would be exploited by what he described as pro-Israel centrists.

“This is catnip for the centrists who are very shy about revealing their position on Israel because it’s pro-Israel,” Piker said. “They see this video and they go, ‘See, you can’t appease these monsters. They’ll harass you endlessly.'”

He added: “I think the extent of your advocacy for Israel has to match your extent of advocacy for Palestine and Palestinians.”

The remarks sparked criticism from commentators who argued that Piker was effectively excusing hostile treatment of a public official based on his political views rather than condemning harassment. Supporters countered that he was simply describing the political reality of attending an event where many participants strongly oppose Israel’s policies.

Wiener, who is running for Congress, has made LGBT advocacy a central element of his political career and has spearheaded multiple initiatives to expand opportunities and reduce discrimination against the LGBT community in San Francisco. He faced criticism after initially declining to accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. After reported backlash from LGBT activists and members of his own campaign staff, Wiener posted a video in which he accused Israel of committing what he described as “genocide” in Gaza, citing Israeli strikes on hospitals and schools as evidence.

Piker has made attacking Israel a central feature of his commentary, frequently characterizing the country as “genocidal” and drawing comparisons with Nazi Germany. He has claimed Israel “has no right to exist” and has openly defended Hamas. He has also drawn condemnation for denying the documented Oct. 7 rapes of Israeli women and faced allegations of antisemitism after calling Orthodox Jews “inbred.”

Despite the controversy surrounding his commentary, Piker’s profile has risen substantially in recent months. Prestige outlets including The New York Times and The New Yorker have published what critics described as uncritical profiles of the streamer, and several far-left, anti-Israel candidates he endorsed have won Democratic primaries, cementing his reputation as a kingmaker within the party.

The episode reflects the deepening tensions within progressive politics over the Israel-Hamas war, with disagreements over Israel increasingly spilling into LGBTQ+ advocacy spaces — and raising serious questions about the future of Israel supporters and Jews within left-wing organizations and the Democratic Party.