04.11.2026 11:31
In the US, Palestinian-origin Muslim politician Aber Kawas won the New York State Senate elections, becoming the first Palestinian-origin woman elected to the state legislature. Kawas, known for her anti-Israel stance, has reignited debate with old statements in which she evaluated the September 11 attacks in the context of racism, colonialism, and Islamophobia. Kawas, who has also been criticized over claims that she used an armband with Hamas symbols, is among the figures supported by Zohran Mamdani.
In the midterm elections held in the US on November 3, Palestinian-origin Muslim politician Aber Kawas won the election by defeating her Republican opponent Han Khon To in the 12th district of the New York State Senate. Kawas, the Democratic Party candidate and known as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), reached a vote share of 74.5 percent at a stage when about 91 percent of the votes had been counted. The election victory brought the politician, who had previously been at the center of controversy because of her statements about the September 11 attacks, back into the spotlight.
SEPTEMBER 11 REMARKS BECAME A SUBJECT OF DEBATE AGAIN
The statements Kawas made about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on a program she appeared on in 2017 were brought up again during the election campaign. The Palestinian-origin politician argued that capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia have a long history linked to colonialism and the taking of resources from other societies. Kawas also evaluated the September 11 attacks as one of the reflections of this historical process.
In the same speech, she opposed expecting Muslims to apologize for terrorist attacks for which they were not responsible. Kawas criticized the collective blaming of the Muslim community, arguing that there is no similar expectation of accountability for historical crimes such as slavery and genocide.
The statements drew reactions, especially in the conservative American press. Some publications interpreted Kawas's words as downplaying the attacks or blaming the US. Kawas, however, stated that her statements were taken out of context and said her aim was to oppose the collective blaming of Muslim Americans for terrorist attacks.
THE CLAIM OF A HAMAS SYMBOL ALSO CREATED DEBATE
Another claim raised about Kawas concerned footage said to be from a 2016 demonstration. Some publications claimed that the politician wore an armband said to bear Hamas symbols at the event.
However, the context of the footage and the nature of the symbols on the armband could not be definitively verified by independent sources. Therefore, the claim cannot be considered evidence showing that Kawas has a connection to Hamas.
AMONG THE NAMES SUPPORTED BY MAMDANI
Kawas, who is among the politicians supported by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is also known for her support for boycott initiatives against Israel. The two worked together on the "Not On Our Dime" campaign, which aims to prevent New York-based organizations from financing Israel's human rights violations against Palestinians.
In her election campaign, Kawas also highlighted issues such as affordable housing, public transportation, immigrant rights, and access to healthcare, in addition to the Palestinian issue. The politician, who states that she is the daughter of Palestinian refugees, says that the difficulties her family experienced in the immigration process shaped her political struggle.
SHE BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN OF PALESTINIAN DESCENT IN NEW YORK
Thirty-four-year-old Aber Kawas became her party's candidate in the Democratic Party primaries held in June by defeating Steven Raga with 60.3 percent of the vote. Kawas, who also gained an advantage over Republican Han Khon To in the general election in November, was recorded as the first woman of Palestinian descent elected to the New York state legislature.
The 12th district Kawas will represent covers neighborhoods in Queens such as Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Long Island City. The Democratic politician will serve not in the US Senate in Washington but in the New York State Senate in Albany.