Surgeon who worked in Gaza wins New Jersey Democratic race

Adam Hamawy, a surgeon who volunteered at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza during 2024, has won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District.

Hamawy drew attention during the war in Gaza after reportedly refusing to leave behind colleagues and patients when Israeli forces ordered evacuations around the hospital.

In a joint statement, the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) Policy Project and Justice Democrats said voters were attracted to Hamawy because he had witnessed conditions in Gaza firsthand while treating Palestinian patients during the conflict.

Justice Democrats, which supported his campaign, also claimed on X that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) had “tried and failed to buy” the electorate through campaigning against Hamawy.

Voters were drawn to Dr. Hamawy’s candidacy because he knows firsthand the reality of Israel’s genocide in Gaza like few do — having worked to save the lives of Palestinian children under bombardment and unimaginable conditions.

Our statement with @justicedems: https://t.co/3gsOGrjO0r pic.twitter.com/oOavVrIoun

— IMEU Policy Project (@imeupolicy) June 3, 2026