Scott H. Peters
Peters calls himself "a staunch supporter" of Israel's right to defend itself and criticized the February 2024 Israel aid bill, favoring a Senate package with humanitarian aid for Palestinians. In July 2025 he said it is "long past time" to end the Gaza conflict and urged aid to starving civilians.
On the February 2024 standalone Israel aid bill, Peters said: "I am a staunch supporter of Israel's right to defend itself and ensure the return of hostages. This bill accomplishes neither of those because it is going nowhere." He favored the Senate compromise combining Israeli defense needs, humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians, Ukraine support, and border provisions.
On July 29, 2025 he called for immediate action on starvation in Gaza: "It is long past time to end the Gaza conflict, with the return of all hostages and the end of military operations," and "There must be immediate action to deliver the desperately needed humanitarian aid to the starving," naming the Israeli government, the UN, the Trump administration, and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as responsible for getting aid to Palestinian civilians. A JNS article criticized his framing the next day.
Earlier, in December 2023 he said he could not "call for Israel to lay down its arms completely and unilaterally without any assurances that Hamas will do the same" and that Israel must protect Palestinian civilian lives (statement). In March 2023 he voiced concern that Netanyahu coalition actions, including settlement expansion and settler violence, "put into question the future of Israel's democracy" and threaten a two-state solution.
Tracked votes: opposed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 3 of 6 recorded votes.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- 2023-12-15 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Said he could not "call for Israel to lay down its arms completely and unilaterally without any assurances that Hamas will do the same"; Israel has the right to defend itself and must protect Palestinian civilians. Press release.
- 2024-02-06 [Current position; verified]: On the standalone Israel aid bill: "I am a staunch supporter of Israel's right to defend itself and ensure the return of hostages. This bill accomplishes neither of those because it is going nowhere." Criticized Republican leadership for killing the Senate compromise that combined Israel aid, humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians, Ukraine aid, and border provisions. Press release. His roll-call votes are badges and are not restated here.
Characterization of the conflict
- 2023-03-01 [Earlier record]: Netanyahu coalition actions (settlement expansion, judicial overhaul, settler violence against Palestinians) "put into question the future of Israel's democracy" and threaten a two-state solution. Press release.
- 2023-12-15 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Condemned the October 7 attack as "atrocities"; the "horrific images of destruction and loss of innocent Palestinian lives... cannot be ignored"; reiterated support for a negotiated two-state solution. Press release.
- 2025-07-29 [Current position; verified]: "It is long past time to end the Gaza conflict, with the return of all hostages and the end of military operations." "There must be immediate action to deliver the desperately needed humanitarian aid to the starving." "There is no justification for delay." Press release. Next-day criticism of his framing: JNS (2025-07-30).
Rhetoric and lobbying
- 2023-01-25 [Earlier record]: Joined a bipartisan letter to UN leadership urging removal of Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese over alleged antisemitic rhetoric. Israel National News.
- 2023-07-17 [Earlier record]: Signed a joint statement affirming the U.S.-Israel partnership and rejecting rhetoric delegitimizing Israel. Pappas release.
- 2023-11-07 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Joined a statement criticizing Rep. Tlaib's use of "from the river to the sea." AJP Action scorecard.
Safety and antisemitism (context, not a weapons or funding position)
- 2018-10-28 [Earlier record]: Statement after the Tree of Life shooting calling for unity against hate. Press release.
- September 2022 [Earlier record; inline month-only date; source did not open]: Convened San Diego Jewish community leaders on rising antisemitic incidents. Only source is a Facebook post (would not open); no usable link.
- 2024-05-01 [Current position]: On the Antisemitism Awareness Act, said Congress must send a clear message against antisemitism but should legislate in a more unified way. Anyflip document.
- 2025-05-22 [Current position; source did not open]: Condemned a violent antisemitic attack outside a D.C. venue. Only source is a Facebook post (would not open); no usable link.
- 2026-03-13 [Current position; source did not open]: On a wave of anti-Jewish hate incidents, said "no person of any faith should ever live in fear to practice their religion." Only source is a Facebook post (would not open); no usable link.
Also in this race: Steve Cohen (Republican) · All California candidates.
See the full record →But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.