Anti-Israel activist who linked the September 11 attacks to Islamophobia wins election to New York State Senate Aber Kawas, a Democratic Party candidate and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has won the election in New York’s 12th Senate District. According to preliminary results, she received 74.5% of the vote. In 2017, Kawas said the September 11 attacks were one manifestation of a long history of racism, colonialism and Islamophobia. She also described demands for Muslims to apologise for terrorist attacks as unfair. A separate controversy erupted over a video from a 2016 rally showing Kawas displaying an armband bearing Hamas symbols. Kawas is also known for her anti-Israel stance, support for a boycott of Israel and association with Zohran Mamdani. She is a Palestinian-American and a Muslim.