Aber Kawas Senate: Aber Kawas has become a widely discussed figure in New York politics after winning the Democratic primary for a New York State Senate seat in Queens. Her victory has drawn attention not only for its political significance but also for her background as a Palestinian-American activist and long-time community organizer in New York City. She was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and ran on a progressive, democratic socialist platform focused on social justice, immigration rights, and policing reform.
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Her win has also sparked political debate following media reports referencing controversy around her past remarks related to 9/11. She once described 9/11 as a terror attack that a “couple people did”, reports The New York Post.
A self-described “Muslim civil right advocate,” Kawas won with 60% of the vote in her primary race against Assemblyman Steven Raga (D-Queens) to replace outgoing state Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Queens).
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Early Life: Brooklyn Roots and Palestinian Heritage
Aber Kawas was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to Palestinian parents. Growing up in one of the city’s most diverse boroughs, she was exposed early to issues of identity, migration, and inequality.
She later studied at the City College of New York, graduating in 2014 from the International Studies Program with a concentration in Latin American Studies, City College of New York. Her academic and personal background played a key role in shaping her political awareness and activism.
Activism and Community Work Since 2010
Kawas has been active in community organizing since around 2010, particularly within Arab and Muslim communities in New York.
She has worked with organizations such as Council on American-Islamic Relations New York and the Urban Justice Center Urban Justice Center, focusing on:
Immigration rights and legal support
Surveillance and civil liberties concerns
Racial profiling and discrimination cases
Advocacy for marginalized communities
Her work has largely centered on grassroots activism and legal advocacy efforts. Kawas has also been listed as a speaker for CAIR, a controversial Muslim charity accused of Hamas links, reports the Post.
Professional Role in Advocacy Work
Kawas currently serves as an Advocacy Specialist at Take on Hate NY, where she focuses on combating discrimination and supporting vulnerable communities.
Her work involves addressing systemic inequality, especially in areas tied to law enforcement practices and civil rights protections.
Political Campaign and Democratic Primary Win
During her campaign for the New York State Senate seat, Kawas positioned herself as a democratic socialist candidate focused on housing affordability, civil rights, and social equity.
Her campaign received support from progressive leaders, including Zohran Mamdani, helping boost her visibility in Queens politics.
However, her candidacy has also attracted controversy, particularly after reports highlighted alleged remarks connected to 9/11, which became a point of political debate during and after the primary race.
Why Her Win Is Politically Significant
Kawas’ primary victory is being seen as part of a broader shift in New York City politics, where grassroots and progressive candidates are gaining momentum.
Supporters highlight her focus on:
Immigration reform
Housing justice
Police accountability
Community-based policymaking
Critics, however, continue to question aspects of her activism and public statements, making her one of the more debated new figures in local politics.
What did she say about 9/11?
"The system of capitalism and racism and white supremacy et cetera – and Islamophobia – have all been used to colonize lands, to take resources from other people and so this is a long trajectory and were just seeing the manifestations of that continuation with 9/11," she said in the clip.
"The idea we have to apologize for a terror attack that a couple of people did and then there is no apology or reparations for genocides and for slavery, et cetera – is something I find reprehensible," she continued.
