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Aber Kawas becomes first Palestinian American elected to New York State Legislature
Aber Kawas has won New York State Senate District 12, becoming the first hijab-wearing Palestinian American elected to the New York State Legislature. Her victory adds to the small number of Palestinian Americans elected at state level and reflects the growing presence of pro-Palestine and Democratic Socialist candidates in US politics.
With 90 per cent of votes counted when the race was called, Kawas had 75 per cent. A longtime organiser for workers’ and immigrant rights, she campaigned on healthcare, public transport, affordable housing, climate action and immigrant protection. She also supports the “Not On Our Dime” proposal to restrict New York charities from funding organisations that support Israeli settlements; the bill introduced in 2023 did not become law.
In short
- Aber Kawas won New York’s District 12 Senate race with 75 per cent of counted votes.
- She is the first hijab-wearing Palestinian American elected to the state legislature.
- Her campaign focused on public services, climate action and immigrant rights.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters may see Kawas’s election as a welcome sign that Palestinian Americans and other under-represented communities can gain a voice in state government. They may also argue that her experience organising for workers and immigrants, and her proposals on healthcare, housing and transport, address practical needs, while restricting charitable funding for settlement-related activity is a legitimate way to uphold New York law and human rights.
The case against
Critics may worry that restricting charities’ funding could infringe on political expression or religious and civic organisations’ independence, particularly if the measure’s scope is broad or contested. They may also question whether a state-level restriction is an effective or fair response to a complex overseas conflict, and prefer scrutiny of her policy proposals and likely effects over treating representation or electoral identity as evidence of policy merit.
Explained simply
New York’s state legislature makes laws and sets budgets for the state, including on housing, transport and healthcare. The State Senate is one of its two chambers, and each senator represents a district.
Aber Kawas is a community organiser who has worked on workers’ and immigrants’ rights. She ran as a Democrat and has supported proposals on public services and housing, as well as “Not On Our Dime”, a bill that would restrict some charities from funding organisations backing Israeli settlements.
Palestinian Americans remain a small group among elected officials in the United States. Kawas’s election brings greater representation for that community in New York state politics, while her policy positions place her among candidates advocating stronger action on Palestinian issues.