# Aber Kawas becomes first Palestinian American elected to New York State Legislature

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/aber-kawas-becomes-first-palestinian-american-elected-to-new-york-state-legislature-2/
- Published: 2026-11-04T02:52:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T06:42:50+00:00
- Original publisher: Middle East Eye (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/aber-kawas-wins-bid-new-york-state-senate-district-12-seat
- Topics: Americas, World

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.