New York State Senate Democratic nominee Aber Kawas is facing criticism after a resurfaced clip from a 2017 podcast featured her appearing to suggest that America deserved the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Kawas, who is running as a socialist candidate for New York State Senate District 12 and is backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, made the remarks on the "Islamophobia beyond 9/11 with Aber Kawas" episode of the Asian American Writers' Association podcast.
In the clip, Kawas stated, "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 then appeared to downplay the attacks, saying, "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."
Candidate's Response
During a November 2025 interview, Kawas addressed the comments, describing them as "cherry-picked comments" taken out of context and part of attacks from the political right. "I’ve always been outspoken about the wrongful scapegoating of Muslim Americans, both before and after 9/11, and in this interview I was speaking about the harmful notion that Muslims should have to apologize for an act of violence they have nothing to do with," Kawas told Fox News Digital. She added that her victory indicates voters do not support "Islamophobic smear[s]" and desire leaders who challenge "bigotry, racism, and double standards."
Kawas, who identifies as a Palestinian-American and Muslim community activist, made the conflict in Gaza a central theme of her campaign, stating in her victory speech, "another world is possible… where Gaza is free to live."
Campaign and Background
The New York Post reported that Kawas's father, Jordanian national Abdelkareem Kawas, entered the United States on a tourist visa in 1989 and remained in the country. He was later deported following a conviction for real estate fraud and a prison sentence. Kawas has reportedly made her father's experience a focal point of her campaign, portraying it as persecution by immigration authorities.
Kawas has also reportedly been affiliated with the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization that has been designated as a terrorist organization by some U.S. states and other countries.
New York State Senate District 12, which comprises western Queens including Astoria, is considered a deeply Democratic district. Kawas secured the Democratic nomination by defeating Assemblyman Steven Raga. The seat is being vacated by incumbent State Sen. Michael Gianaris, who is stepping down at the end of his term. Given the district's political leanings, Kawas is widely expected to win the general election in November and take office in January.