Zoran Mamdani is currently receiving significant criticism for endorsing a far-left congressional hopeful from New York, Aba Qawas, who characterized the 9/11 attacks as actions “perpetrated by a few people.”
This endorsement has drawn ire from both conservative and some liberal circles, with critics claiming that her provocative remarks don’t belong in American political discourse.
A video showcasing Qawas discussing the effects of capitalism and white supremacy on colonized societies gained traction around the time of Mamdani’s endorsement.
In the viral clip, Qawas suggested that apologies for historical atrocities should be reciprocal.
She remarked, “Systems like capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia have been employed to colonize land and seize resources. This issue is ongoing, as evidenced by events like 9/11,” she stated.
Continuing her point, she criticized the idea of demanding apologies for terrorist acts by a few individuals while neglecting reparations for severe injustices such as genocide and slavery.
Many interpreted her statements as implying that the responsibility for 9/11 lay with America.
Political commentator Russell Drew reacted strongly, asserting that individuals like Qawas shouldn’t have roles in the New York State Assembly. He argued, “People like her should be expelled from the Democratic Party, not promoted.” He likened this moment to the period of the John Birch Society.
Senator Ted Cruz chimed in, describing the current Democratic Party landscape as reflective of Qawas’s views.
Amidst the outcry, one social media user defended Qawas, contending that her perspective centered on the hypocrisy of Americans being unaccountable for military actions in the Middle East, contrasting that with the demands placed on the region.
