New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji, wife of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is facing intense public and media scrutiny following revelations of her past and recent social media activity, which includes liking posts celebrating the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and glorifying Palestinian militants. The controversy, widely reported in March and April 2026, centers on posts that described the Hamas invasion as "breaking the walls of apartheid" and denied reports of Hamas rapes. The original tweet by Eyal Yakoby, stating "This is what Zohran Mamdani’s wife celebrated," appears to reference these contentious online actions.
Reports from outlets like The Times of Israel and Jewish Insider detailed that Duwaji, an artist and illustrator, liked Instagram posts immediately following the October 7th attack that were overtly supportive of the Hamas actions. One post she engaged with showed Palestinians breaching Israel’s borders, captioned as "breaking the walls of apartheid," while another depicted Palestinians on a captured IDF vehicle, stating, "Resisting apartheid since 1948." Further reports by The Free Press indicated she liked a post calling reports of Hamas rapes during the attack a "mass rape" hoax.
Beyond the October 7th controversy, a Washington Free Beacon review in March 2026 unearthed older social media posts from Duwaji's teenage years and early twenties. These posts allegedly glorified figures associated with Palestinian political violence, including members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and content related to the First Intifada. The resurfaced content has intensified the backlash against the First Lady.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has addressed the controversy, asserting his wife is "a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall." He previously distanced himself from radical anti-Israel elements during his mayoral campaign, with his office stating, "Mayor Mamdani has been clear and consistent: Hamas is a terrorist organization, October 7th was a horrific war crime, and he has condemned that violence unequivocally." However, critics argue that his wife's social media activity contradicts the mayor's public stance and raises questions about his administration.
The revelations have sparked significant debate within New York City's political landscape, drawing criticism from various groups and political figures. The ongoing scrutiny highlights the challenges public figures face regarding the past and present social media activities of their spouses, especially concerning highly sensitive geopolitical issues. The controversy continues to unfold as the public and media demand further clarification and accountability.
