The first Palestinian American elected to the New York State Legislature celebrated her historic victory by displaying the Palestinian flag on social media, without including the American flag.
Socialist Democratic nominee Aber Kawas defeated Republican nominee Han-Khon To in New York’s 12th State Senate District on Tuesday, becoming the first Palestinian American elected to the state legislature. Kawas celebrated her victory in an X post, declaring, “We made history” alongside a Palestinian flag emoji, with no American flag included in the message.
We made history. 🇵🇸 https://t.co/r9dnacASP5
— Aber Kawas (@AberKawas) November 4, 2026
Kawas describes herself on her to her website as a “community organizer and democratic socialist running to represent parts of Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Glendale, and Jackson Heights.”
Palestinian activist Aber Kawas has won her seat for NY State Senate.
She’s said 9/11 was America’s fault due to “capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia,” is endorsed by NYC DSA and Zohran Mamdani, and has worn a Hamas headband. https://t.co/NX3obOk58a
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) November 4, 2026
As a child, her father was deported by immigration and customs enforcement (ICE), which she claims shaped her political worldview, per Kawas’ campaign website.
“While he was in detention, my family struggled to make ends meet,” the candidate wrote. “These experiences … made me the organizer I am today — determined to build power for poor and working people, so that everyone can live a life with equal dignity.”
Pro-Hamas Palestinian Muslim Aber Kawas has won her elections to become a New York State Legislator.
She said that 9/11 was America’s fault because of “Islamophobia.”
I have no words. https://t.co/VgY8fdRDAV
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) November 4, 2026
She was endorsed by many high-profile far-left politicians including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Democratic New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Kawas’ website also notes.
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