The wife of New York City’s mayor is at the center of a growing controversy, facing intense scrutiny over her online activity following the horrific attacks of October 7th. Reports have surfaced detailing Rama Duwaji’s apparent endorsement of posts that question the documented accounts of sexual violence perpetrated during the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.
Specifically, Duwaji allegedly “liked” an Instagram post from February 2024 that directly challenged a New York Times investigation into the sexual violence, labeling the findings as “fabricated.” This interaction adds to a pattern of concerning social media engagements that have recently come to light.
In the immediate aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Duwaji reportedly engaged with several posts expressing criticism of Israel. One particularly striking instance involved a post shared by “The Slow Factory” depicting images of a breached border and individuals atop an Israeli Defense Force vehicle.
The accompanying text on that post framed the events as “Breaking the walls of apartheid and military occupation,” invoking the slogan “Resisting apartheid since 1948” and calling for “Systemic change for collective liberation.” As of late Saturday, this “like” remained visible on Duwaji’s account.
Further examination revealed Duwaji’s engagement with content from “The People’s Forum,” including promotions for anti-Israel protests and calls to halt U.S. aid to Israel. One post she liked prominently featured the phrase “from the river to the sea,” a slogan widely interpreted as advocating for the dissolution of the state of Israel.
When questioned about his wife’s social media activity, Mayor Zohran Mamdani characterized Duwaji as a private individual. He emphasized that she has not held any official role in his campaign or administration, distancing himself from her personal views.
The mayor stated his responsibility lies in representing all New Yorkers and addressing questions related to his own policies and decisions. He reaffirmed his condemnation of the October 7th attacks and labeled Hamas a terrorist organization, but maintained a separation between his stance and his wife’s online behavior.
The controversy raises questions about the potential implications of a public figure’s spouse expressing views that many find deeply offensive and insensitive, particularly in the wake of such a devastating and widely reported tragedy.
