Adam Hamawy Wins Democratic Primary in New Jersey

Adam Hamawy, a former combat surgeon originally from Egypt and a veteran with experience in Iraq, emerged victorious in the Democratic primary on Tuesday for the congressional seat currently occupied by the retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).

Hamawy is known for his strong criticism of Israel and has received backing from prominent Squad members including Ro Khanna, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib, alongside socialist Senator Bernie Sanders. He topped the ballot in a competitive primary for New Jersey’s distinctly Democratic 12th Congressional District.

Hamawy has made headlines recently for his life-saving actions regarding Senator Tammy Duckworth following a helicopter crash, along with his volunteer work in the Gaza Strip.

However, some controversy surrounds Hamawy’s past as critics look into his 1994 internship with a charity in Bosnia and his connections to a figure known as the “blind chief.” According to the 9/11 Commission Report, the Benevolence International Foundation he worked with was allegedly entangled in Osama bin Laden’s financial support network during the ’90s.

A court document from 2003 stated that this foundation was used as a cover by a terrorist organization to establish a base in Europe against the United States. The Jewish Insider was the first to report on Hamawy’s prior involvement with this charity.

Despite the scrutiny, Hamawy has not faced any legal charges related to terrorism. A campaign spokesperson dismissed the accusations as “absurd,” “hopeless,” and “bigoted.”

Furthermore, Hamawy has a history of involvement with Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, who was convicted of a seditious conspiracy in 1995 after his followers executed the World Trade Center bombing two years before that. Hamawy testified in a trial to challenge claims that Abdel Rahman incited violence against then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Concerns have been voiced around Hamawy’s defense of Abdel Rahman, particularly by Stephen Emerson of a Washington-based terrorism research organization. Emerson expressed that voters in New Jersey deserve clarity on Hamawy’s support for a figure convicted of serious terrorism charges.

In response, Hamawy’s spokesperson highlighted his military service and mentioned that, at the time, Abdel Rahman was one of very few Muslim figures in New Jersey. They clarified that Hamawy has unequivocally condemned the violent rhetoric and actions associated with Abdel Rahman and has had no contact with him since his arrest.