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Adam Hamawy, a candidate surrounded by controversy due to his past affiliations, has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for the Congressional seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).
Gaining backing from the influential progressive group known as “the Squad,” Hamawy faced intense scrutiny throughout his campaign. His vocal critiques of Israel and his past volunteer work with the Benevolence International Foundation in Bosnia, which has links to al-Qaeda, sparked significant debate, as reported by the New York Post.
In a 2003 court document, it was alleged that al-Qaeda utilized Benevolence International as a cover to set up European operations aimed at the United States, which they considered an adversary.
Hamawy, however, has not faced any criminal charges or formal accusations of supporting Islamic terrorism. His campaign spokesperson has dismissed concerns about his involvement with the organization as “absurd” and “bigoted.”
Jewish Insider highlights additional records indicating that in 1994, Saffet Catovic, a New Jersey native, served as the counselor and second deputy ambassador at the Bosnian mission in New York.
A 2003 court filing also alleged that al-Qaeda used Benevolence International as a front “to establish a base for operations in Europe against Al Qaeda’s true enemy, the United States.”
Hamawy has never been charged with or accused of working on behalf of Islamic terrorism. A spokesperson for his campaign dismissed inquiries into his time with the group as “absurd” and “bigoted.”
According to Jewish Insider, records also show that in 1994, “the counselor and second deputy ambassador at the Bosnian mission in New York was a New Jersey native named Saffet Catovic.”
“In December 2001, the time of the first federal raids upon Benevolence International’s offices outside Chicago, Catovic was widely quoted as the foundation’s spokesman,” it added.