NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Wife Faces Scrutiny Over Social Media Activity
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash following reports that his wife, Rama Duwaji, liked social media posts questioning the validity of reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, and posts celebrating the attacks themselves. The controversy has ignited debate about the couple’s views and the appropriate boundaries for the family members of public officials.
Posts Questioning Hamas Attacks
According to reports from The New York Post and Fox News, Duwaji liked a February 2024 Instagram post that claimed reports of Hamas’ rapes of Israelis were a “mass hoax.” The post, shared by an anonymous pro-Palestine influencer, questioned the reporting of The New York Times on the issue. Duwaji also reportedly liked posts critical of Israel and supportive of pro-Palestine protesters.
Celebration of October 7th Attacks
Further scrutiny, detailed by Jewish Insider, revealed that Duwaji liked multiple Instagram posts celebrating the October 7th attacks. These posts, shared by organizations like The Unhurried Factory, depicted imagery from the attacks and used slogans such as “Breaking the walls of apartheid and military occupation” and “Resisting apartheid since 1948.” The Slow Factory describes itself as an organization centering the voices of marginalized groups.
Mamdani’s Response
As reported by The New York Times, Mayor Mamdani has stated that his wife is a “private citizen” in response to the controversy. However, critics argue that as the wife of a public official, her actions reflect on him and his administration. Mamdani has not directly addressed the specific content of the posts liked by his wife.
Public Reaction
The reports have sparked significant backlash, with many calling on Mayor Mamdani to condemn the posts and address the concerns raised. Critics, including those quoted in The New York Post, have accused Duwaji of antisemitism and insensitivity towards the victims of the October 7th attacks. Some have questioned the judgment of voters who elected Mamdani, given his and his wife’s views.