Politics1 min read

‘Healthcare not bombs’: How Gaza shaped Adam Hamawy’s path to US Congress

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The former combat medic and reconstructive surgeon secured a historic victory in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District following political motivation sparked by his relief missions abroad. His successful bid came as his party reclaimed both chambers of Congress alongside seven other Muslim American candidates. He now aims to leverage his surgical background to directly challenge foreign military spending from inside the Capitol. During his military service in Iraq, he famously saved the life of Senator Tammy Duckworth, who later became the first sitting member of Congress to formally endorse his political run.

Key points

  • Firsthand medical missions in conflict zones directly propelled Hamawy to run on an anti-…: Firsthand medical missions in conflict zones directly propelled Hamawy to run on an anti-war platform opposing military funding.
  • Democrats secured control of both congressional chambers while eight Muslim American cand…: Democrats secured control of both congressional chambers while eight Muslim American candidates achieved historic victories across the country.
  • Despite facing intense anti-Muslim rhetoric during the campaign, Hamawy emphasized inclus…: Despite facing intense anti-Muslim rhetoric during the campaign, Hamawy emphasized inclusion and pledged to present firsthand accounts of Gaza to lawmakers.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

A former army surgeon and Gaza volunteer, Hamawy is the first Muslim American to be elected to the US Congress from New Jersey.

Adam Hamawy has seen death, devastation and the effects of hate on others for decades – as a first responder after the September 11 attacks, while serving in Iraq as a United States military surgeon, and more recently, on trips to Gaza while it has suffered under Israel’s genocide.

On Tuesday, he stood in front of supporters in Plainsboro, New Jersey, celebrating “hope” that he said he had gleaned from some of those victims of violence.

“To the men, women and children of Gaza and Palestine: Your smiles give me the hope and the courage to fight for a better world,” said the Egyptian-American surgeon, set to become New Jersey’s first Muslim US congressman.

It was the culmination of a winding path into politics for 56-year-old Hamawy, a US Army veteran and reconstructive surgeon who was one of eight Muslim Americans to win election races on Tuesday night, as Democrats took commanding control of both chambers of…

Politics