PLAINFIELD - Running for Congress in the crowded 12th District Democratic Primary, Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp today questioned perceived frontrunner Dr. Adam Hamawy's fitness for office based on Dr. Hamawy's position on Israel.

For an InsiderNJ interview on some of this subject matter with Dr. Hamawy, please go HERE.

(For a response from Dr. Hamawy to Mayor Mapp, please see below)

Mayor Mapp, for his part, said, "The Jewish State of Israel is a very strong strategic ally of the United States and should receive the support of the United States. We should go to Israel's defense whenever needed [for more in-depth elucidation by Mayor Mapp on his views on Israel and the West Bank, please go HERE]. We should condition aid to Israel - or to any country - on humanitarian grounds, but there are those who are calling for the destruction of Israel and expressing anti-Israel views... in this race. When you look at someone like Dr. Adam Hamawy, who has been labeled the frontrunner, I have heard many antisemitic statements and positions from this particular candidate and I think we ought to condemn anyone campaigning with that antisemitic philosophy in mind.

"His position on Israel in terms of Israel versus the crisis in the Middle East, many statements would lead any rational person to conclude those statements are anti-Israel and antisemitic. He has not given adequate response to Israel's right to self-determination. ...He has called Hezbollah and Hamas freedom fighters. That's what Dr. Adam Hamawy has done.

"When it comes to this overall crisis, we are oftentimes guilty by association," Mayor Mapp added. "You are known by the company you keep. In the mid 1990s when Adam Hamawy indicated he was an interpreter for [the Blind Sheikh], who was convicted of acts against this country, he sat in a ride and developed amnesia about what transpired on that very long road trip. You can't describe Adam Hamawy as a progressive. He is what you would call a radical extremist. Individuals associating with clearly anti-American views like the convicted Sheikh call into question people like Dr. Hamawy. What would he do if elected as the person from the 12th congressional district? I call into question whether this is someone who is fit to serve.

"It is important to acknowledge that many people make mistakes in their youth. People atone for what they have done against society. I have listened to Dr. Hamawy and listened to the rhetoric he has espoused. It is difficult for anyone to conclude there has been atonement for his youth given his statements.

"I don't blame him for pro-Palestinian positions. I too am in support of Palestinian people having their own state. I support a two-state solution. The Palestinian people deserve to live within secure borders with self-determination. But one questions where he stands."

InsiderNJ asked Dr. Hamawy's Campaign for a response.

Please read that reply from a Hamawy Campaign spokesman HERE:

"It is disappointing to see a candidate in a Democratic primary stoop to echoing right-wing, MAGA smears — especially when those attacks involve maligning the service, patriotism, and character of a decorated US Army veteran and 9/11 responder like Dr. Adam Hamawy. Just last night, a diverse crowd of nearly 100 gathered in Hillsborough to discuss important issues for the community with Dr. Hamawy at a town hall. That’s the kind democracy-building every candidate in this race should focus on. To Mayor Mapp, we wish him well on his AIPAC audition; we’ll stay focused on putting the district first and building a New Jersey where everyone can thrive."

For (the FULL!) Interview with Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, please see below:

In a wide-ranging interview with InsiderNJ, Mayor Mapp also spoke about his priority of affordable housing in the 12th District.

For that portion of the interview, please see below:

The Mayor also took time to detail his position on ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and decried his rivals who have called for the abolition of ICE.

For that, please see below: