Aber Kawas, the Democratic nominee for New York State Senate District 12, is facing renewed scrutiny following the resurfacing of a social media clip from 2017 in which she appeared to suggest that the United States bore some responsibility for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Kawas, a self-identified socialist, received support from New York City Council Member Zohran Mamdani during her primary campaign.
Kawas, who is the daughter of immigrants, with her father being a Jordanian national who overstayed a tourist visa, secured the Democratic nomination for a district that encompasses western Queens, including Astoria. The seat is currently held by State Senator Michael Gianaris, who is not seeking re-election.
Past Comments on 9/11 Draw Scrutiny
The controversial remarks originated from a 2017 episode of the Asian American Writers' Association podcast, titled "Islamophobia beyond 9/11 with Aber Kawas." During the discussion, Kawas connected the 9/11 attacks to broader systemic issues.
"The system of capitalism and racism and White supremacy… and Islamophobia have all been used to colonize lands, to take resources from other people and so this is a long trajectory, and we're just seeing the manifestations of that continuation with 9/11," she stated in the podcast.
She further minimized the gravity of the attacks by drawing a comparison regarding accountability.
"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… is something I find reprehensible," Kawas added.
Candidate Responds to Criticism
Kawas addressed the renewed criticism during a November 2025 interview, dismissing the comments as "cherry-picked" and "out-of-context attacks from the political right."
"Our resounding victory this week shows that the people of Queens simply don’t buy into this kind of desperate, Islamophobic smear, and want leaders in office who aren’t afraid to call out bigotry, racism, and double standards," she asserted.
Candidate's Background and Platform
Kawas identifies herself as a Palestinian American and a Muslim community activist. Her campaign prominently featured the situation in Gaza, with her often stating in her victory speech that "another world is possible," envisioning "a world where Gaza is free to live."
She has also reportedly been associated with the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization that has faced designation as a terrorist entity in certain U.S. states and other nations.
A significant part of Kawas's campaign narrative centered on her family's immigration experience. Her father, Abdelkareem Kawas, a Jordanian national, entered the United States on a tourist visa in 1989 and subsequently remained in the country. He was later deported after being convicted of real estate fraud and serving a prison sentence. Kawas characterized her father's deportation as unjust persecution by immigration authorities.
Electoral Outlook
New York State Senate District 12 is considered a reliably Democratic area. Kawas decisively defeated incumbent Democratic Assemblyman Steven Raga in the primary election. With State Senator Michael Gianaris stepping down, Kawas is widely expected to win the general election in November, positioning her to join the state legislature in Albany in January.
