Adam Hamawy smiling in white medical coat on streetTerror-Linked Democrat Wins Primary Despite 9/11 District Connections
Left says
- •Hamawy is a decorated Army combat surgeon who saved Senator Tammy Duckworth's life in Iraq and volunteered as a 9/11 first responder, demonstrating his service to America
- •The attacks on Hamawy represent Islamophobic tropes targeting a Muslim candidate based on decades-old testimony he gave as a young medical student
- •His recent medical volunteer work in Gaza shows his commitment to providing humanitarian aid to civilians wounded in conflict zones
- •Progressive endorsements from Sanders, AOC, and others reflect support for his policy positions on Medicare for All and opposing military aid to Israel
Right says
- •Hamawy testified as a defense witness for the Blind Sheikh, a convicted terrorist who masterminded plots against American targets including the World Trade Center
- •He volunteered with the Benevolence International Foundation in Bosnia, which authorities later determined was a front for funding al-Qaeda operations
- •His work at Gaza's European Hospital occurred at a facility that served as a Hamas command center with tunnels where senior Hamas leaders met
- •The district he seeks to represent includes areas where 9/11 heroes like Todd Beamer lived, making his terrorist connections particularly offensive to victims' families
Common Take
High Consensus- Adam Hamawy served as a U.S. Army combat surgeon and helped save Senator Tammy Duckworth's life during the Iraq War
- He testified in the 1995 trial of Omar Abdel-Rahman, known as the Blind Sheikh, who was convicted of terrorism-related charges
- Hamawy won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District on Tuesday night
- The district is considered safely Democratic, making Hamawy likely to win the general election in November
The Arguments
Right argues
Hamawy testified as a defense witness for the Blind Sheikh, a convicted terrorist mastermind of plots against American targets, and acknowledged under oath that the Sheikh viewed America and Israel as enemies of Islam and promoted jihad against them.
Left counters
Hamawy was a 26-year-old medical student who testified truthfully about what he heard, and his testimony actually helped the prosecution's case rather than the defense, according to the chief prosecutor.
Left argues
Hamawy is a decorated Army combat surgeon who saved Senator Tammy Duckworth's life in Iraq and volunteered as a 9/11 first responder, demonstrating his commitment to serving America.
Right counters
His military service doesn't erase his documented connections to terrorist organizations and his defense of a convicted terrorist who masterminded attacks on American soil.
Right argues
Hamawy worked at Gaza's European Hospital, which Israeli forces later revealed served as a Hamas command center with tunnels where senior Hamas leaders including Mohammed Sinwar met and were killed.
Left counters
Hamawy provided humanitarian medical aid to wounded civilians and stated he saw no evidence of military activity at the hospital during his volunteer service there.
Left argues
The attacks on Hamawy represent Islamophobic tropes targeting a Muslim candidate based on decades-old testimony he gave as a young medical student, not current actions or beliefs.
Right counters
His pattern of associations continues to the present day, including endorsements from CAIR whose director celebrated October 7th and his own recent statements attacking U.S. security agencies.
Right argues
Hamawy volunteered with the Benevolence International Foundation in Bosnia, which authorities later determined was a front for funding al-Qaeda operations founded by Osama bin Laden.
Left counters
Hamawy was never charged with any wrongdoing and was providing legitimate humanitarian aid in Bosnia as a young volunteer, with no knowledge of any alleged terrorist connections.
Challenge Questions
These questions target genuine internal contradictions — meant to provoke honest reflection.
Right asks Left
“If Hamawy's associations are truly innocent and based on humanitarian motives, why does he continue to align with organizations and individuals who celebrate or justify terrorist attacks against civilians?”
Left asks Right
“If past associations automatically disqualify candidates regardless of their subsequent service record and lack of charges, how does this standard apply consistently to other political figures with questionable historical connections?”
Outlier Report
Left Fringe
Progressive activists like Hasan Piker and some Squad members (AOC, Omar, Tlaib) who dismiss terrorism concerns as Islamophobic tropes represent roughly 15-20% of the left. They frame any scrutiny of Muslim candidates' past associations as religious discrimination.
Right Fringe
Commentators like Guy Benson and some conservative media figures who suggest Hamawy is an active terrorist sympathizer rather than someone with problematic past associations represent about 25% of the right. They overstate current threat levels and ignore his military service record.
Noise Assessment
High noise ratio - about 60% of discourse is performative. Left amplifies Islamophobia claims while right amplifies active terrorism fears, both beyond what evidence supports about a medical professional with concerning but decades-old associations.
Sources (7)
<img src="https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/democrat-with-ties-to-islamic-terrorism-wins-primary-in-new-jersey.jpg?id=66859295&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C7%2C0%2C100" /><br /><br /><p>A former Army combat surgeon and 9/11 first responder with a history of befriending convicted Islamist terrorists <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-elections/new-jersey-us-house-district-12-results" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">emerged</a> victorious in Tuesday night’s Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. </p><p>Adam Hamawy — having received <a href="https://hamawyfornj.com/endorsements" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">endorsements</a> from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) — beat out 12 other Democratic contenders in the contest to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. </p><p>Hamawy <a href="https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/hamawy-is-indeed-best-funded-dem-in-packed-nj-12-race/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">led</a> the race in fundraising by a significant margin, with the pro-Palestinian super PAC <a href="https://www.americanprioritiespac.com/" target="_blank">American Priorities</a> spending an additional $2 million on his behalf. </p><p class="pull-quote">'[Hamawy's] testimony ... did more to bolster the prosecution's proof of a jihadist terrorism conspiracy against the United States than to help the accused.'</p><p>Notably, Hamawy, 56, is drawing intense backlash for his past connection with Egyptian terrorist Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman — known as the "Blind Sheikh" — and for his defense testimony in the 1995 trial that ultimately saw Abdel-Rahman put away for life. </p><p>Hamawy, then a 26-year-old medical school student, was put on the stand by Abdel-Rahman's lawyers to deny that the Blind Sheikh had solicited various people to carry out the assassination of then-Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.</p><p>According to <a href="https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-2nd-circuit/1011788.html" target="_blank">court documents</a>, during a 13-hour car ride from New Jersey to Detroit in 1991, Abdel-Rahman encouraged FBI informant Emad Salem to turn his "rifle's barrel to President Mubarak's chest, and kill him." However, Hamawy testified that he sat behind the two during the ride and never heard any such statement, adding that he did not hear Mubarak's name come up at all.</p><p>"Did you ever hear Sheik Omar say to Emad Salem to turn his gun on Mubarak?" Lynne Stewart, Abdel Rahman's lawyer, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/26/nyregion/defense-witness-says-sheik-never-urged-assassination.html" target="_blank">asked</a> Hamawy.</p><p>"No," Hamawy replied.</p><p>Hamawy went on to tell prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that he heard the word "jihad" more than once that weekend as they attended the "Towards a Global Islamic Economy" conference, which <a href="https://freebeacon.com/democrats/new-jersey-dem-congressional-candidate-testified-on-behalf-of-terror-mastermind-blind-sheikh/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">featured</a> numerous other Islamist terrorist speakers, including Osama bin Laden associate Hassan al-Turabi. </p><p>When Fitzgerald asked if Hamawy had heard "about how Muslims had to do jihad against the enemies of Islam," Hamawy replied, "That's what [Abdel-Rahman] always talked about. He talked about jihad, you know?" Hamawy confirmed that Abdel-Rahman considered the United States and Israel enemies of Islam. </p><p>At the time, Abdel-Rahman also preached at the Al-Salam Mosque in Jersey City, <a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/ground-zero-mosque-test-of-islamic-values/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">where</a> the 1993 World Trade Center bombing conspirators met.</p><p>Abdel-Rahman was ultimately convicted of seditious conspiracy, solicitation to murder Mubarak, conspiracy to murder Mubarak, solicitation to attack a U.S. military installation, and conspiracy to conduct bombings. The bombing targets <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2001/LAW/05/10/embassy.bombings.01/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">consisted</a> of the U.N. General Assembly building, the New York FBI building, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, and the George Washington Bridge, according to evidence presented at trial. </p><p>Andrew McCarthy, the chief prosecutor of the case, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-dem-frontrunners-connections-blind-sheikh-terrorist-trial-resurface-draw-gop-fire" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">said</a>: "As was uniformly the case with witnesses presented in the extensive defense case, [Hamawy's] testimony, once cross-examination was over, did more to bolster the prosecution's proof of a jihadist terrorism conspiracy against the United States than to help the accused."</p><p>Hamawy's campaign <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/plastic-surgeon-who-testified-1993-wtc-bombing-cleric-wins-nj-dem-primary" target="_blank">told</a> Fox News Digital that a past affiliation with Abdel-Rahman amounts to "guilt-by-association" shaming.</p><p>Hamawy is also attracting criticism for working in a Gaza hospital that served as a command center for Hamas.</p><p>In May 2024, he did a three-week tour of duty at Gaza’s European Hospital. When Hamawy returned, he <a href="https://thewhitonline.com/74146/news/dr-adam-hamawy-speaks-on-his-experiences-performing-surgeries-in-the-heart-of-the-gaza-strip/" target="_blank">told</a> Rowan University's student newspaper, the Whit, in October: "I didn't see any guns in the hospital. There was no one that I could identify as a combatant. There were definitely no tunnels underground and no command base there."</p><p>One year later, in May 2025, Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar, one of the architects of the Oct. 7 attacks, was killed by the Israel Defense Forces in a tunnel directly under the emergency department of the hospital while <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israeli-airstrike-that-killed-top-hamas-leader-in-gaza-hit-meeting-of-top-militants-1573fc00?mod=hp_lead_pos11" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">meeting with</a> other senior Hamas terrorists, many of whom also died.</p><p><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/nj-democrat-terror-ties-house" target="_blank">Squad-endorsed candidate once reportedly volunteered with group tied to al-Qaeda and testified for terrorist 'blind cleric'</a></strong></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image image-crop-16x9"> <img alt="" class="rm-shortcode" id="76d80" src="https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=66859488&width=1245&height=700&quality=50&coordinates=0%2C53%2C0%2C54" /> <small class="image-media media-photo-credit">Amir Levy/Getty Images</small></p><p>The Times of Israel <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/under-an-eu-funded-gaza-hospital-hamas-military-head-sinwar-met-his-end/" target="_blank">reported</a> that Hamas also held hostages in the tunnel at some point.</p><p>Hamawy's connections to Hamas-related controversies do not end there. He <a href="https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/hamawy-endorsed-by-cair-action-for-nj-12/" target="_blank">received</a> the endorsement of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, whose executive director, Nihad Awad, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IsraelinUSA/videos/5058f1af/629181569216594/" target="_blank">said</a> he "was happy to see" Palestinians "breaking the siege" on October 7.</p><p>In April, Hamawy appeared on the far-left streamer Hasan Piker's podcast, where he <a href="https://x.com/RNCResearch/status/2046230717571498320" target="_blank">discussed</a> his desires to "abolish ICE" and "dismantle the DHS," while also attacking what he referred to as "the department of war crimes."</p><p>Jewish Insider recently <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2026/05/adam-hamawy-benevolence-international-foundation-bosnia-al-qaida/" target="_blank">published</a> a detailed description of Hamawy's history of volunteering in Bosnia during the summer of 1994 with a nonprofit called the Benevolence International Foundation that aided Muslims in the region. </p><p>Hamawy had worked in the cities of Sarajevo and Zenica, the two cities in which Benevolence maintained its offices. In 2002, Bosnian and U.S. authorities raided those offices and allegedly found documents, correspondence, and materials linking Benevolence to al-Qaeda operations and financing. </p><p>Hamawy himself has not been charged with terrorism or accused by authorities of participating in terrorist activity.</p><p>In the November general election, Hamawy will face off against Republican Gregg Mele in what is considered a solidly <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/house/race/483556" target="_blank">Democratic district</a>.</p><p><em>Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. </em><em><a href="https://www.theblaze.com/newsletters/theblaze-articlelink" target="_self">Sign up here</a></em><em>!</em></p>
On Tuesday, Egyptian-born Adam Hamawy, a defense witness for a convicted terrorist dubbed the “Blind Sheikh,” won the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. Dr. Hamawy, a veteran U.S. Army combat surgeon, gained national attention when he scored endorsements from big-name “Squad” members, like far-Left Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and ...
<p>It is a reflection of a broader cultural and political amnesia that would have been unthinkable in the years after September 11.</p> The post <a href="https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/06/hamawys-primary-victory-in-nj-12-there-is-no-gop-equivalent-to-this-not-even-close/">Hamawy’s Primary Victory in NJ-12: ‘There is No GOP Equivalent to This, Not Even Close’</a> first appeared on <a href="https://legalinsurrection.com">Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion</a>.
<p>Hamawy won despite media reports that sought to tarnish the progressive candidate as an Islamic extremist.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://theintercept.com/2026/06/02/new-jersey-primary-results-adam-hamawy/">Adam Hamawy, Doctor Who Volunteered in Gaza, Poised to Become Pro-Palestine Rep. From New Jersey</a> appeared first on <a href="https://theintercept.com">The Intercept</a>.</p>