Democrat Linked to Al-Qaeda Group Wins New Jersey Primary
Adam Hamawy won New Jersey's Democratic primary despite scrutiny over his 1994 internship with a charity later linked to al-Qaeda, though he has never faced terrorism-related charges.
A Democratic congressional candidate with past ties to a charity later linked to al-Qaeda has secured the primary nomination for a U.S. House seat in New Jersey, setting off renewed scrutiny over his controversial background.
Adam Hamawy has won the Democratic primary race to succeed retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman in New Jersey’s 12th congressional district, according to Breitbart News. His victory comes despite significant questions raised during the campaign about his 1994 internship with the Benevolence International Foundation, an organization later described by federal authorities as a covert supporter of terrorist operations.
Hamawy received the endorsement of the so-called “Squad” and has become a polarizing figure due to his sharp criticism of Israel and his volunteer activities in the Gaza Strip. An Iraq War veteran, he gained national attention for his role in saving Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s life following a helicopter crash during the Iraq conflict.
However, his connection to the Benevolence International Foundation has drawn sustained criticism from opponents and watchdog groups. The 9/11 Commission Report identified the now-defunct charity’s Bosnian operation as part of an elaborate network that covertly channeled financial and operational support to terrorist activities directed by Osama bin Laden throughout the 1990s.
A 2003 federal court filing further alleged that al-Qaeda utilized Benevolence International as a front organization to establish European operational bases aimed at targeting the United States.
It should be noted that Hamawy has never faced criminal charges related to Islamic terrorism, nor has he been formally accused of working on behalf of terrorist organizations. A spokesperson for his campaign has dismissed inquiries into his association with the foundation as both absurd and bigoted.
Additional reporting from Jewish Insider reveals that during the same 1994 period when Hamawy interned with the organization, Saffet Catovic, a New Jersey native serving as counselor and second deputy ambassador at the Bosnian mission in New York, later emerged as the foundation’s spokesman. In December 2001, when federal agents first raided Benevolence International’s offices near Chicago, Catovic was widely quoted in media reports representing the organization.
The primary victory positions Hamawy as the Democratic nominee in what is considered a safely Democratic district, making him the likely next representative for New Jersey’s 12th congressional district.
With information from Breitbart News
