NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife faces mounting scrutiny for promoting art tied to Palestinian activists who celebrated the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023, while the mayor dismisses her disturbing social media activity as merely the actions of a “private person.”
Story Highlights
- Rama Duwaji, wife of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, illustrated content honoring Palestinian activist Saleh al-Jafarawi, known for celebrating Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks
- Duwaji’s Instagram activity includes liking posts calling October 7 sexual violence a “hoax” and framing the terrorist attacks as legitimate “resistance”
- Mamdani defends his wife as a “private person” despite campaigning on promises to combat antisemitism and condemn Hamas atrocities
- Conservative artist Jon McNaughton compares the controversy to Hunter Biden’s art career, suggesting political connections boost market value
Mayor’s Wife Honors Hamas Sympathizer Through Art
Rama Duwaji, a Brooklyn-based animator and illustrator married to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, shared politically charged artwork honoring Saleh al-Jafarawi in October 2023, referring to him as “Beloved Jafarawi.” Al-Jafarawi gained notoriety for celebrating Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel that killed over 1,200 people, including American citizens. Duwaji also created animated sketches depicting detained Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, calling his ICE detention an “attack on freedom of speech.” Her Instagram portfolio features pro-Palestinian themed work, including a piece titled “Eyes On The Global Sumud Flotilla,” all reflecting an activist bent that emerged prominently after Mamdani’s election victory.
Troubling Social Media Activity Revealed
Investigative reporting from The Free Press and Jewish Insider uncovered Duwaji’s pattern of liking Instagram posts that reframe the October 7 Hamas terror attacks as “resistance” or “breaking apartheid walls.” These posts included images glorifying terrorists on Israeli vehicles and slogans like “from the river to the sea.” Most alarmingly, she liked content dismissing credible reports of October 7 sexual violence as a “mass rape hoax.” While Duwaji maintained a low profile during Mamdani’s campaign, her social media activity came to light after his election. Some of the controversial likes disappeared after media outlets began reporting on them, raising questions about whether they were strategically removed.
Mamdani’s Defense Contradicts Campaign Promises
At a Bronx press conference, Mamdani attempted to distance himself from his wife’s controversial activities, stating “My wife is the love of my life… a private person” with no role in his campaign or administration. City Hall issued a statement reiterating that “Hamas is a terrorist organization, October 7th was a horrific war crime.” However, this defense rings hollow given Mamdani’s 2025 campaign promises to combat antisemitism in NYC, a city with one of the world’s largest Jewish populations. The disconnect between his public assurances and his wife’s activism undermines his credibility. Notably, Mamdani received only approximately 30 percent of Jewish voter support compared to 60 percent for Andrew Cuomo in previous elections.
Political Fallout and Hunter Biden Comparisons
Conservative artist Jon McNaughton drew parallels between Duwaji’s rising art profile and Hunter Biden’s controversial art sales, which reached over $500,000 through political connections. McNaughton described Duwaji’s black-and-white sketches as having “modern illustrative… Gothic and Art Nouveau” style but resembling “student sketchbook” work boosted by “correct politics” rather than artistic merit. Republican critics seized on the controversy, with Rep. Mike Lawler and Lara Trump condemning Mamdani for allowing celebration of attacks that “murdered New Yorkers.” The scandal threatens to erode Mamdani’s already tenuous relationship with Jewish voters and could complicate his administration’s ability to address hate crimes and religious tensions in America’s most diverse city.
Here's How Mamdani Excused His Wife Illustrating a Book for an Antisemitic Palestinian Activisthttps://t.co/M8RuxuiaMR
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The controversy exposes the challenge facing democratic socialist politicians who seek mainstream acceptance while maintaining ties to activists whose views align with anti-Israel extremism. For New Yorkers who value security and reject antisemitism, Mamdani’s dismissal of his wife’s activities as private matters demonstrates troubling judgment. His administration’s credibility on combating hate and representing all 8.5 million NYC residents now faces serious questions that won’t disappear with carefully crafted City Hall statements or claims about personal privacy.
Sources:
Mamdani’s wife’s ‘student sketchbook’ art is Hunter Biden effect all over again, says U.S. artist
Here’s How Mamdani Excused His Wife Illustrating a Book for an Antisemitic Palestinian Activist
