Hostility oozed from South Florida TV screens Sunday morning as Tim Canova and Debbie Wasserman Schultz faced off in their first, and likely only, debate before the Aug. 30 Democratic congressional primary.

Incumbent Wasserman Schultz and challenger Canova clashed on a handful of issues, most notably on Israel and Social Security, which are both important in the Broward/Miami-Dade County 23rd Congressional District, home to a large Jewish community and to many seniors.

Even sharper exchanges concerned charges about judgment, temperament and commitment to South Florida. The two repeatedly expressed exasperation with each other, often seeking to interrupt the other to make a point.

"I would say it was a draw, and that doesn't help Canova. He really needed to score some points," said Sean Foreman, a political scientist at Barry University. "As an objective point of view, I would say that he didn't do enough to claim victory."

They disagreed over several questions related to Israel.

"My opponent has been mealy-mouthed and waffling in his position on Israel from Day One. Israel needs certainty," said Wasserman Schultz, who noted during the debate that she's the first Jewish woman elected to Congress from Florida.

Canova touted his own ties to Israel, as someone who has lived there, traveled to the country half-a-dozen times and grew up with a Jewish stepfather. "No one is more committed to the state of Israel's security than me," he said. "I will not bow to anyone."

The subject showcased the lack of regard each candidate has for the other.

While Wasserman Schultz was talking about Israel, Canova said, "May I interject." Wasserman Schultz snapped in response, "No, you may not."

When it was his turn, she interrupted him, and he stopped her with an "excuse me" and continued on with his answer.

Anthony Man Tim Canova, left, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in a split screen shown on WFOR-Ch. 4 on Aug. 14, 2016. The two candidates met for their only debate. Tim Canova, left, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in a split screen shown on WFOR-Ch. 4 on Aug. 14, 2016. The two candidates met for their only debate. (Anthony Man) (Anthony Man)

Wasserman Schultz said Canova has been inconsistent on Israel. "He's taken three different positions in the last eight months," she said, criticizing his support of demilitarization in the Middle East, which she said would jeopardize Israel's security.

Canova: "I certainly don't appreciate words being put in my mouth."

Wasserman Schultz: "It's on your website."

Canova: "I actually never singled out Israel whatsoever."

Wasserman Schultz: "Israel is in the Middle East the last time I checked."

Canova said he was talking about Saudi Arabia and Iran, though his website refers generally to the Middle East.

They disagreed over President Barack Obama' 2015 deal with Iran aimed at preventing that country from developing a nuclear weapon.

Wasserman Schultz voted for it. Canova, who in January said he supported the agreement, said Sunday he didn't know how he would have voted if he'd been in Congress at the time and said it wasn't a good agreement.

Canova portrayed Wasserman Schultz as someone who doesn't support increases in Social Security benefits. She points to legislation she supports that would increase benefits. He said she only co-sponsored some of that legislation because she was worried about the primary challenge from him.

At that point, Wasserman Schultz laughed out loud, and quietly said, "Oh God."

As he continued the line of attack, she laughed again and shook her head, then said the residents of the district know Canova's argument "is silly" because she's spent years fighting what she termed Republican efforts to weaken Social Security. "I stood in the breach over and over with my vote and my voice," she said.

Canova said the residents of the district "should be thanking me for having a primary challenge to get her on the right side of that issue."

Foreman said Wasserman Schultz seemed to have the upper hand on the discussion of the Middle East, but Canova did a better job on Social Security.

On other issues, Canova said he would support a ban on oil fracking in Florida; Wasserman Schultz said she would be OK with fracking if there were "significant" regulations on it.

Canova reiterated his strong support for medical marijuana. Wasserman Schultz, who opposed the proposed 2014 amendment to the state Constitution to authorize medical marijuana in the state, wouldn't give her position on this year's proposed amendment.

The debate took place on the early Sunday morning "Facing South Florida" program on WFOR-Ch. 4. Canova has sought a series of debates, but Wasserman Schultz has indicated Sunday's session would be the only one.

Among the other clashes:

• Who has deeper roots in South Florida.

Wasserman Schultz said she has a better feeling for the region where she's lived for 30 years and is raising her children, who attend public school in Weston. "I have deep roots in the community," she said. "The reality is my opponent has not been involved in the community at all."

Canova has lived in the district since 2012, which he said sounds misleadingly short since he's lived South Florida for a total of seven years on and off since the mid-1990s, and relatives have lived in the area "for decades."

Canova is professor of law and public finance at Nova Southeastern University. He said Wasserman Schultz's suggestion that he isn't involved in the community is an "insult to teachers everywhere."

To test Canova's knowledge of South Florida, debate moderator Jim DeFede asked Canova if he knew the name of the mayor of Southwest Ranches, in the heart of the district he's seeking to represent. Southwest Ranches was the location of a now canceled immigration detention center, an issue Canova has used to criticize Wasserman Schultz.

"I'm not going to play that game," Canova said, before conceding he didn't know.

Wasserman Schultz interrupted. "Jeff Nelson. He's also the assistant principal of Cypress Bay High School."

University of Michigan debate analyst Aaron Kall — who grew up in Plantation, where his parents and brother still live — called it the "gotcha moment" of the morning.

• Each candidate's bona fides as Democrats, progressives and liberals.

Canova said he left the Democratic Party for a time because he was disillusioned by its course under Wasserman Schultz. He returned in the months before he announced he was challenging her in the primary. He said that overall, he's been a Democrat longer than Wasserman Schultz.

Wasserman Schultz countered that "I've been a lifelong Democrat. There is not one minute that I have been a registered voter that I haven't."

She also said that "I am a liberal. I embrace the 'l word,'" she said.