Across the country, of Congress have heard from protesters advocating a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. That includes of the San Diego delegation.
Though some have encountered demonstrators at public meetings or outside their offices, Rep. Scott Peters had an experience that was more up close and personal — and uncomfortable.
The evening of Dec. 19, Peters and his wife, Lynn Gorguze, were celebrating the anniversary of their first date about four decades earlier with dinner at an outdoor table along the sidewalk at Bistro du Marché on Girard Avenue in La Jolla, where they live.
They were approached by several people led by a woman who, in a measured voice, appeared to read a statement from a cellphone to Peters, who mostly sat quietly during the encounter. The woman spoke of civilian deaths inflicted by Israeli military forces and other hardships suffered by people living in Gaza.
Others who had ed her soon began chanting “Cease-fire now” and at times shouted that Peters should no longer U.S. military aid to Israel, among other things. A five-minute video of the incident has been circulating on social media.
The protest had an unusual subplot. The daughter of the restaurant owners, Sylvie and Jean Michel Diot, tipped off the other demonstrators about Peters being there, according to Peters’ spokesperson. The daughter also participated in the protest.
Peters’ staff informed San Diego police of the incident, and department officials ed the restaurant. A representative of the Police Department did not reply to a request for comment.
Sylvie Diot declined to comment, adding, “There is nothing to be said.”
Peters’ office received many phone calls after word of the incident spread, with some callers urging a boycott of the restaurant. Peters asked them not to do that.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming we’ve received,” Peters’ chief of staff, MaryAnne Pintar, said in a statement.
“It’s clear the people who did this had no interest in a productive dialogue. This tragic war is far more complex than the protesters wanted to acknowledge. Scott and his wife were disappointed that management did not step in but don’t believe the owners knew their daughter had alerted her friends to come and harass them.”
“Scott has accepted the owners’ apology and hopes the restaurant continues to prosper,” Pintar said.
The protest at Peters’ table seemed to start with a somewhat subdued tone, if not message.
“I have a question for you,” the lead protester said to Peters. “How many dead Palestinians will it take for you to acknowledge genocide?”
At one point, Peters said, “This probably isn’t the best place to have a conversation.”
Protesters shouted, “Blood is on both your hands” and said Gaza neighborhoods were destroyed and babies were killed by U.S. funding for the Israeli Defense Forces.
The lead protester said, “As you enjoy your meal tonight … people of Gaza at this very moment are being starved to death.”
The woman also referred to several bakeries that had been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. “How is a bakery a legitimate military target?” she asked.
“We don’t want to make it pleasant for you,” one of the protesters told Peters and his wife. “We want to make it unpleasant.”
At times, Peters engaged with the protesters and emphasized that Hamas had launched an attack in Israel. The Oct. 7 cross-border raid killed about 1,200 mostly unarmed Israeli civilians. Hundreds of hostages were taken.
“We know who started it,” Peters said, triggering jeers and shouts from protesters. He added that “Hamas should lay down its arms and release the hostages.”
In November, Peters, a Democrat, and dozens of other of Congress signed a statement condemning the “barbaric terrorist attack” by Hamas while urging Israel to proceed with caution.
“We Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself — to protect its citizens, secure its borders and rescue its people held hostage in Gaza,” the statement said. “Israel also has the obligation to, as best as possible, protect civilians and in all its actions adhere to international humanitarian law (notwithstanding Hamas’ complete disregard for the same).” ◆
