Hamawy Wins NJ Primary as Pro-Palestine Voice

Dr. Adam Hamawy won the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, securing 28% of the vote and positioning himself to become one of the few Muslim lawmakers in Congress. His victory marks a significant moment for pro-Palestine advocacy in U.S. politics.

Hamawy, an Egyptian-born surgeon and Army veteran, defeated 12 other candidates for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. According to Time, HuffPost, and Al Jazeera, his campaign was buoyed by substantial funding from American Priorities super PAC, which aims to counter the influence of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee).

Throughout his campaign, Hamawy focused on progressive policies such as Medicare for all, abolishing ICE, and imposing a weapons sale ban on Israel. He received endorsements from prominent progressives including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib.

Hamawy's political ascent has been marked by his experiences as a surgeon in conflict zones, including Gaza where he performed 120 surgeries on war victims according to Al Jazeera. His firsthand accounts of the situation in Gaza have significantly influenced his political stance against Israel's policies and actions. He also served in the Army for eight years, including a deployment to Baghdad during the Iraq War.

According to Democracy Now!, Hamawy is an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights and volunteered in Gaza during what he described as Israel’s genocidal assault on the territory. His campaign calls for cutting off arms sales to Israel and other countries that commit gross human rights violations, ending apartheid in Israel, and redirecting military spending towards domestic issues like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Hamawy's victory has drawn criticism from Republicans and pro-Israel groups who have questioned his past ties to Omar Abdel-Rahman, known as the “Blind Sheikh,” according to HuffPost. Hamawy met Abdel-Rahman in 1991 when he was a middle school student and provided translation help for him. During the campaign, Hamawy condemned extremism and violence of all kinds.

Senator Tammy Duckworth, who credits Hamawy with saving her life after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq in 2004, endorsed his candidacy. Democracy Now! reported that Hamawy was a U.S. Army combat surgeon in Baghdad during the incident and spent several hours operating on Duckworth.

Hamawy's campaign has highlighted his commitment to progressive policies and his firsthand experiences in conflict zones, positioning him as a unique voice in Congress if elected.