Abeer Al-Qawas becomes the first hijabi Palestinian-American elected to the New York State Senate

Democratic candidate Abeer Al-Qawas has made history by securing a seat in the New York State Senate representing the 12th district in Queens. With approximately 75% of the vote, she is the first Palestinian-American woman wearing a hijab to serve in this legislative body. Her campaign, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, focused on key issues such as healthcare, housing, transportation, and immigrant rights under the theme of fostering dignity and social justice. Born in New York to a family that fled Palestine in 1948 and later faced personal challenges including her father's detention and deportation, Al-Qawas's background has been a driving force behind her political activism.