New Jersey voters will see Rep‑elect Adam Hamawy on the national stage this week as he appeared on CNN’s The Situation Room. When co‑host Pamela Brown asked the newly elected Democrat whether he considered Iran an adversary to the United States, Hamawy sidestepped a direct answer, focusing instead on the broader costs of the ongoing war.
Hamawy stresses diplomacy over continued funding
Hamawy told Brown, “What I see is that we were pushed into this war by Israel. It’s not helping Americans. Americans didn’t ask for it. It’s illegal and immoral. At this point, I think the U.S. and the Iranians want this war to end.” He added that both sides have suffered casualties, noting, “We’ve killed a lot of them as well.” The congressman‑elect argued that the United States should pull all military funding from Israel and pursue diplomatic channels to de‑escalate the conflict.
Repeated questioning on Iran and Israel
Brown pressed again, “Do you see Iran as the adversary?” Hamawy replied, “I see that we pushed them into a fight. So I think we both have to step back and ask, is this helping either one of us?” When reminded that Iranian crowds have chanted “Death to America,” Hamawy countered, “We’ve been saying ‘Death to Iran’ for decades as well, and so what we need to do is use diplomacy.” He later described the Iranian government as a “dictatorship” and “authoritarian,” while suggesting that U.S. actions have contributed to radicalization.
Reactions from pro‑Israel advocates
Roz Rothstein, co‑founder and CEO of StandWithUs, condemned Hamawy’s remarks, stating that he “refused to acknowledge a basic factual and moral reality” and that Iran’s oppressive regime is “the enemy of both the United States and its own people.” Rothstein urged that anyone who does not recognize this should have no role in shaping U.S. foreign policy.
Background on Hamawy’s record
Hamowy secured his House seat despite prior scrutiny over volunteer work with the Benevolence International Foundation, a Chicago‑based charity later linked by federal authorities to al‑Qaeda support. He also faced questions about a 1991 trip with Sheikh Omar Abdel‑Rahman, known as the “Blind Sheikh.” The New Jersey district he will represent is a diverse, swing‑area constituency that has seen intense debate over foreign‑policy positions in recent campaigns.
Comparison to other candidates
The interview echoed remarks made earlier by Michigan Democratic Sen‑elect Abdul El‑Sayed, who also declined to rank Israel or Iran as the greater threat, saying both are dangerous in different ways. Both candidates illustrate a growing trend among some Democratic hopefuls to prioritize diplomatic solutions over traditional military alliances.
What comes next
Hamawy has not responded to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. As he prepares to take office in January, his stance on Iran and Israel will likely shape his committee assignments and influence how New Jersey voters evaluate his representation on national security issues.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
